27 Apr 2020 --- US meat producers have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic as several plants have been temporarily closed amid the outbreak of COVID-19 among their workforces. This is leading to fears that the US is on the brink of a meat shortage as the meat sector grapples with the difficulties of operating plants within social distancing parameters and dealing with large-scale testing and worker absenteeism. Yesterday, Tyson Foods closed its Washington beef facility while employees undergo testing for the virus. This follows other closures at Tyson’s pork plants and a multitude of meat factories around the country. Meanwhile, there are an estimated 5,000 meatpacking workers and 1,500 food processing workers directly impacted by the virus, including some deaths.
