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Donald Trump Urged To Shut Meat Plants As Coronavirus Spreads Among Workers

by Alix Coe | April 30, 2020

US President Donald Trump is being asked to shut a number of slaughterhouses as the spread of coronavirus continues.

Earlier this week, Trump signed an executive order to ensure slaughterhouse doors remain open and business continues as normal — despite the clear risk to workers.

“Undermining Critical Infrastructure”

A number of meat plants in the country closed as the pandemic began to threaten the health of workers — a move that the president was quick to reverse.

“Such closures threaten the continued functioning of the national meat and poultry supply chain,” Trump said, explaining that this is “undermining critical infrastructure during the national emergency.”

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Meat Workers Contracting Coronavirus

The United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) revealed that 5,000 slaughterhouse workers have either tested positive for COVID-19, or are symptomatic in quarantine. The UFCW also stated that at least 20 workers are known to have died from the virus.

“Public Health Risk”

Animal welfare organisation PETA has launched a petition to urge the president to “reverse the executive order and keep slaughterhouses closed.”

The petition states that slaughterhouses “not only put workers and the public health at risk but also cause the violent, bloody deaths of billions of animals every year.”

“PETA asks the nation to rise up and shout a resounding “NO” to keeping slaughterhouses open at this time.”

Do you think Trump is likely to reconsider government advice on the closure of meat plants due to coronavirus? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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