Politics May 12 Meat processing industry worked with Trump administration to stay open during COVID crisis, according to House report A new congressional report says that in the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, the meat processing industry worked closely with political appointees in the Trump administration to stave off health restrictions and keep slaughterhouses open even as COVID-19 spread… By Josh Funk, Associated Press
Health Oct 27 At least 59,000 U.S. meat workers caught COVID-19 in 2020, 269 died A U.S. House report says at least 59,000 meatpacking workers became ill with COVID-19 and 269 workers died when the virus tore through the industry last year. By Josh Funk, Associated Press
Economy Sep 07 Meat, farm workers to get $600 grants in new $700 million aid plan The grants announced Tuesday are intended to defray some of the costs workers bore as many of them bought their own protective equipment or took unpaid leave as the virus tore through their industries even as they were required to… By Josh Funk, Associated Press
Nation Jun 02 Watch 4:33 News Wrap: Biden entices Americans with free beer, cash in bid to inoculate 70% of adults In our news wrap Wednesday, President Joe Biden rolled out new enticements today to get more Americans vaccinated against COVID-19 — ranging from free beer to cash giveaways. There's word that a ring of Venezuelans stole U.S. pandemic stimulus checks…
Apr 09 Watch 5:56 Meat-packing plants were the earliest COVID hotspots, but vaccinating workers isn’t easy By Fred de Sam Lazaro Workers in meatpacking factories and livestock farms that supply them are among the hardest hit by COVID-19. Nationwide, at least 50,000 meatpackers have been infected and some 250 lost their lives. But things may finally be looking better for them. Continue watching
Nov 19 Tyson suspends managers at Iowa plant who allegedly bet on COVID-19 outbreaks By Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press Tyson Foods has suspended top officials at its largest pork plant and launched an investigation into allegations that they bet on how many workers would get infected during a widespread coronavirus outbreak. Continue reading
Sep 24 Iowa fines beef plant $957 after huge coronavirus outbreak By Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press Inspection records show the outbreak at the Iowa Premium Beef Plant in Tama in April resulted in 338 of the plant's 850 workers testing positive for the virus. Continue reading