Five on Friday: Farmworkers Vulnerable to the Virus

COVID-19 continues to spotlight the shocking conditions under which American “essential” farmworkers toil daily. When COVID-19 becomes part of history – which we all hope will be very soon – what will happen to the racist and exploitative structures embedded within industrial agriculture, that have left farmworkers so vulnerable to the virus? Here, we continue to share some of the reports about migrant farmworkers in the news, shared by MCN staff this week.

Karen shared the Kaiser Health News article, available in English and Spanish: “Without Federal Protections, Farm Workers Risk Coronavirus Infection to Harvest Crops.” 

Kaethe sent the results of a new poll of 8,000 Californians from UC Berkeley: “Big Disparity in the Coronavirus’ Impact on the Lives of Californians Across Major Racial and Ethnic Subgroups.” 

Claire forwarded the USA Today article, “From Stanford Med to Blueberry Fields: Student Laborer Gets Lesson in COVID Perseverance.”

Amy highlighted a different farmworker health concern, particularly in California’s Central Valley: “Occupational Risk Factors of Valley Fever in California’s Farmworkers,” an article fro the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety.

Weekly Win: Kaethe shared the Oakland Museum of California’s announcement of the new Dorothea Lange Digital Archive, which features many of the iconic photos that humanized migrant workers and Dust Bowl refugees. 

Have a safe and healthy weekend.

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