While most of us are in the safety of our own homes, more than a million of farm workers are continuously working to keep food on America’s table.

Workers and advocates are currently concerned about their safety because some farms do not have adequate supply of disinfecting soap and protective equipment, and the negligence of social distancing guidelines. Another major concern is the limited access to medical care and crowded living conditions. Many of the farm workers are undocumented immigrants, and most of them don’t have health insurance or receive sick leave.

The co-founder of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, which represents thousands of farm workers in Florida says that rural communities like his where most of the workers live aren’t prepared for a health crisis such as the current pandemic.

It is very sad and disappointing to hear these statements in regards to people who put their blood, sweat, and tears to provide food for the people of America. Farm workers are supposedly a part of the ‘essential workers’ and yet, they aren’t receiving the support and resources they need to keep themselves healthy and protected from the virus. Growers say that they are doing the best they can to protect workers, even stating that farm workers are their top priority when farm workers have to bring their own soap and masks because their company does not provide any.

Photo: Farmworkers harvest zucchini on April 1 in Florida City, Florida

This is obviously a huge concern. We need farm workers. And if they don’t have enough equipment to keep themselves safe and healthy, this may cause disturbance in the food system, disabling production of food which could lead to a food crisis.

It is very difficult to get assistance especially in times of pandemics like this. Even essential workers are struggling to get all the equipment they need to protect their health. This makes me wonder, who should be prioritized the most?

Link: https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/11/us/farmworkers-coronavirus/index.html