Minnesota Health officials reacted Tuesday as President Trump was set to sign an executive order to keep meat processing plants open. Though they haven’t read the final document, they have reservations.
In Minnesota, and the region, they’ve become hotspots, like at JBS in Worthington which is currently shut down.
Closures caused by sharp increases in cases are affecting farmers who might have to euthanize hogs, customers who are likely to see higher prices, and local communities. Nobles County, with a population over 20,000, has the second-highest total caseload behind Hennepin County with 477.
Food processing workers are what MDH considers high-priority for testing along with congregate care residents, first responders, utility workers and more. Testing has increased in the county due to the flare-up leading to the larger number, but health experts say the plant was the source of exposure for many.
MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann says plants can only safely operate with strict mitigation and disinfection protocols.
“We do know we have situations in which there has been transmission so we’re going to have to make some changes in order to make sure we are doing what’s best for the industry as well as the employees,” she said.
The executive order is intended to prevent a shortage, though the Minnesota Department of Agriculture says the food supply is stable right now due to what’s in storage. It classifies the plants as a critical industry under the Defense Production Act.
Ehresmann says it will be challenging to keep plants open if many workers cannot work because they are isolated. According to the Associated Press, citing a course, "the White House was also working with the Labor Department to provide enhanced safety guidance for meatpacking workers. That will include trying to minimize the risk to workers who may be prone to serious complications from the virus, including strongly recommending those over the age of 65 and with preexisting conditions stay home."
“While we appreciate the importance of these industries to our farmers and our food supply, at a time when we’re seeing such an explosive increase in the number of cases and the impacts on smaller communities, it seems problematic to say the least,” Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said of the executive order.
The state legislature heard from Board of Animal Health Director Dr. Beth Thompson today who said plants reopening on May 18 would be ideal and increasing to 75 percent production by the start of June.
“I think we want to make sure that any industry that is essential and continuing to work is able to do so in a manner that keeps their employees safe,” Ehresmann said.
