November 24, 2020

US research finds meatpackers accelerated COVID-19 spread

A research published on the National Academy of Sciences found that United States meatpackers are the cause of 236,000 to 310,000 COVID-19 cases (6% to 8% of total) in the country, as well as 4,300 to 5,200 deaths (3% to 4% of total) through July 21. 

The research, by Charles A. Taylor, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University; Christopher Boulos, Booth School of Business, The University of Chicago; and

Douglas Almond, Department of Economics, Columbia University, found that the data shows a strong positive relationship between meat plants and community COVID-19 transmissions.

This could mean that meat plants, especially large processing facilities and major meatpacking companies, serve as "transmission vectors" and accelerate the spread of COVID-19 towards the surrounding population. 

Their research also found that meat plants that have obtained permission from the US Department of Agriculture to boost production line speeds saw increased cases in their county.

The researchers suggest an investigation into meat plant supply chains, their operating procedures and labour relations, plus a move towards decentralised, smaller-scale meat production could be key towards preventing the spread of COVID-19.

-      National Academy of Sciences