Due to their crowded living, and shoulder-to-shoulder working conditions, farmworkers are reportedly 3 more times likely (than workers in any other industry) to catch covid-19. In fact, investigations have uncovered reports of outbreaks among agricultural workers at several California companies….including 350 cases of covid-19 in “guest workers” in 4 counties. Santa Barbara and Monterey counties are 2 of the 4 counties that have clusters of cases of covid-19 in ag workers.
Unlike nursing homes and other congregate living situations, neither federal nor state officials have issued specific safety or reporting requirements (aimed at keeping guest workers safe).
The U.S. Department Of Agriculture says that although although it’s unlikely that food can be a vector for covid-19, people are still strongly encouraged to wash food and use good hygiene practices.
