Health authorities in Yakima, WA. and in Monterey, CA. have recorded a concerning increase in the incidence of COVID-19 among agricultural workers. Similar problems with emerging COVID-19 are occurring in the tomato producing regions in Florida.  As with the meat industry the problem is encountered in packing plants where social distancing is difficult to achieve.  Operators of plants have been slow to recognize the vulnerability of workers and apparently have not provided adequate PPE.  Strikes and walkouts have occurred in some areas. 

Factors contributing to infection include substandard accommodation for workers with overcrowding, inadequate PPE and failure to educate workers on prevention.  The need for migrant workers to earn a daily wage encourages them to report for duty when ill resulting in lateral transmission of COVID-19.

Sen Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

The Administration is now considering applying the Defense Production Act to maintain the supply of fruit and vegetables and to provide liability protection to farmers.    Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI.) the ranking member of the Senate Agricultural Committee has introduced legislation to provide companies with loans to upgrade machinery, purchase PPE and to fund testing of workers.  Senator Stabenow stated, "you can get ahead of this which is what didn’t happen in the meat packing situation".