Ed Flores, associate professor of sociology, was quoted in a Fresno Bee story on a recent report released by the USDA regarding the spread of COVID-19 during the early months of the global pandemic.
From the article:
A recent report from the USDA confirms what many have been saying for months — meatpacking factories were a “major catalyst” to the spread of COVID-19 during the early months of the global pandemic. The changes in safety policies and protocols in meatpacking plants during the pandemic likely led to decreased COVID-19 spread, the report concludes. While it’s the first industry-wide analysis of its kind from the USDA, some labor voices said the report doesn’t go far enough to explore the role of health and safety policies in curbing the spread of COVID-19. “Health and safety standards aren’t just adopted,” said Edward Flores of the UC Merced Community and Labor Center. “They’re also enforced.” Advocates say they hope the federal report leads to changes in working conditions and an overhaul of the meatpacking industry.
Read the entire article here.
