It's been a year since we began reporting on COVID-19 outbreaks in meatpacking plants. None of us, of course, knew what was coming.
The meatpacking workers kept going though, showing up to work in dangerous conditions, and they continue to do so. The year has worn them down. When asked about his co-workers, an Arkansas poultry plant worker said, "They look destroyed."
Today we are looking back at the last year in the meatpacking industry as well as where we are today. We have new worker interviews, graphics, a timeline of events and a personal story from our reporter on what it was like covering this behind the scenes.
By Madison McVan, Ignacio Calderon and Sky Chadde, Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting | April 8, 2021
Tens of thousands of meatpacking workers have been vaccinated against COVID-19 so far, but the industry continues to grapple with coronavirus a a year after plant closures exposed the crisis brewing in the country's processing facilities. Workers who for months have pinned their hopes on vaccines and a new administration still face a dangerous job. There are much fewer cases reported in plants now, but the facilities still harbor the disease and, as recently as last month, a worker died. While the Biden administration has promised tougher standards, they haven't yet been implemented. Accountability, meanwhile, is lacking.
