Community Chat

[Spurt]

An Executive Order was signed on Tuesday aimed at addressing concerns about meat shortages.

The order invokes the Defense Production Act to ensure beef, pork, poultry and egg plants keep running.

"It is important that processors of beef, pork, and poultry ("meat and poultry") in the food supply chain continue operating and fulfilling orders to ensure a continued supply of protein for Americans," the order reads.

The United Food and Commercial Workers union — the largest union for workers in the plants — had called on major meat-producing companies to take immediate action to protect workers after thousands have become infected with the virus.  

Leaders have urged the administration to use the Defense Production Act to help farmers and the industry.

UPDATE---

JBS confirmed that it did not receive masks for its employees until April 2 and did not mandate their use until April 13. Tyson said it wasn’t until April 15 that it started requiring that all its workers wear masks.

Smithfield said masks are universally available to its workers, in compliance with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the company would not say exactly when they became available. Smithfield workers said it wasn’t until the past week or two. On Saturday, county health officials said they ordered Smithfield to close its plant in St. Charles, Illinois, until it can address issues related to employee safety and protective equipment.

All three companies said they have stepped up sanitation, have taken steps to ensure social distancing and are checking temperatures as workers report for their shifts. All say they are now requiring quarantines for employees who have tested positive for the coronavirus and for those in close contact with them.

[Spurt]

@stevieb 

Well it looks like someone listened and put someone in charge at the national level, at least regarding meat and eggs; to coordinate the industry to help prevent shortages. ... Hope you can find some in your area.....  Now for the scarity of the rest of groceries in your area....GOOD LUCK!!!

I had sent a feedback form to our local grocery store chain to suggest limiting purchases of meat if there was a shortage to prevent hoarding. ....I just want sufficient supplies so everyone has a chance to purchase some.....And apparently I wasnt the only one....

[goldensrbest]

I would hope people read the news, or listen to it, rather than coming here to have information.

[grandma petes]

I was at Walmart yesterday and people were filling their carts with various meat products. The cashier told me they were considering limiting the amount you can buy due to hoarding. Placing limitations will be necessary to hopefully ensure that everyone has food/ meat available to feed their families. The hard part is for those with large families. Limiting one package per purchase can make it difficult for them. 

The dry beans, rice, tuna, ect. isles were almost bare. Even the frozen meats were scarce. There was a sign posted that the price of eggs was going to increase and the supply would be very limited.

[Desertdi]

After seeing all the meat plant photos, I'm giving it up altogether.....

[chessylady]

Unfortunately the executive order made safety measures optional so the workers have no sense of safety. There is also pending legislation to exempt companies from liability for sickness occuring at their worksite. Don't we all have a responsibility to each other to keep our society safe? Is my access to meat worth someones life.

[ValuSkr]

In my opinion, workers' lives are more important than ensuring a supply of meat for the rest of us.  I hope their unions are able to negotiate better working conditions.

I realize this is probably more about the industry - protecting jobs, companies, and producers - than ensuring we still have meat on our dinner plates.  But workers are entitled to protection and, lacking it, none of us should be happy about buying meat.

[BlueFinch]

You'd think that protecting our food plant workers and produce farmers would have been a priority, right below caring for the sick and supplying bedside workers with protection.

We have to eat, it's not an optional activity. The fact that so many are going hungry right now, with such waste, is disheartening. 

The DPA is a little late on this one. Now it's just herding cats. Plants and farms can't perform without many workers, regardless of a declared Act. Workers that have to be kept safe. 

We've so much to learn from this experience. Hopefully we'll do better next time. And, it's likely there will be a next time.

[Spurt]

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@chessylady wrote:

Unfortunately the executive order made safety measures optional so the workers have no sense of safety. There is also pending legislation to exempt companies from liability for sickness occuring at their worksite. Don't we all have a responsibility to each other to keep our society safe? Is my access to meat worth someones life.

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@chessylady 

Since two weeks ago they've been ordered to wear masks and practice social distancing, checking temperatures and sending sick people home after numerous complaints and investigations...Theres an article but its political and cant be posted here....

[CrazyKittyLvr2]

I went to the CDC website and read the guidelines.  The words, if feasible, consider etc. appear alot.  A bunch of wishy-washy language.

There is a lot of room to get out of what they should do to keep their workers safe.

I don't  think anyone is truly looking out for those workers.