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How You Get Your Berries: Migrant Workers Who Fear Virus, but Toil On How You Get Your Berries: Migrant Workers Who Fear Virus, but Toil On
(32 minutes later)
HAMMONTON, N.J. — Workers at the largest blueberry farm in the Northeast move through the fields in small groups, fingers dancing with the speed of musicians as they pick bushes heavy with fruit.HAMMONTON, N.J. — Workers at the largest blueberry farm in the Northeast move through the fields in small groups, fingers dancing with the speed of musicians as they pick bushes heavy with fruit.
The more they gather, the more they are paid during a season that lasts only about seven weeks.The more they gather, the more they are paid during a season that lasts only about seven weeks.
Barring rain, they work seven days a week; there is no time for illness.Barring rain, they work seven days a week; there is no time for illness.
But everywhere there are reminders of the coronavirus and its power to sweep quickly through tightly packed farm camps.But everywhere there are reminders of the coronavirus and its power to sweep quickly through tightly packed farm camps.
It is the reason laborers who live and toil close together wear bandannas across their faces in the hot sun and work separated by plexiglass in the fruit packaging facility.It is the reason laborers who live and toil close together wear bandannas across their faces in the hot sun and work separated by plexiglass in the fruit packaging facility.
It is what had them standing in line on a steamy morning, weeks before picking started, to be tested for the virus at the large farm in southern New Jersey, Atlantic Blueberry Company in Hammonton.It is what had them standing in line on a steamy morning, weeks before picking started, to be tested for the virus at the large farm in southern New Jersey, Atlantic Blueberry Company in Hammonton.
“It feels a little uncomfortable,” said Angel Rodriguez, who works in the farm’s packaging facility. “You don’t know if somebody is contagious.”“It feels a little uncomfortable,” said Angel Rodriguez, who works in the farm’s packaging facility. “You don’t know if somebody is contagious.”
Mr. Rodriguez, 34, left Puerto Rico in March to begin working his way up the East Coast, stopping for two months in Florida before arriving in late May in Atlantic County, the hub of New Jersey’s thriving blueberry industry.Mr. Rodriguez, 34, left Puerto Rico in March to begin working his way up the East Coast, stopping for two months in Florida before arriving in late May in Atlantic County, the hub of New Jersey’s thriving blueberry industry.
He is one of an estimated 22,000 seasonal workers who tend and harvest crops in New Jersey, nicknamed the Garden State for its robust agriculture industry.He is one of an estimated 22,000 seasonal workers who tend and harvest crops in New Jersey, nicknamed the Garden State for its robust agriculture industry.
Like Mr. Rodriguez, many laborers follow the ripening crops up the Eastern Seaboard, starting in Florida, where migrant living quarters have been ravaged by the virus, and working their way north to Maine.Like Mr. Rodriguez, many laborers follow the ripening crops up the Eastern Seaboard, starting in Florida, where migrant living quarters have been ravaged by the virus, and working their way north to Maine.
Making life even more perilous this year, they have been deemed essential workers — exempt from stay-at-home orders and a 14-day quarantine rule in New Jersey for people coming from states where the virus is spreading quickly. With each influx of new workers comes the risk of a fresh outbreak.Making life even more perilous this year, they have been deemed essential workers — exempt from stay-at-home orders and a 14-day quarantine rule in New Jersey for people coming from states where the virus is spreading quickly. With each influx of new workers comes the risk of a fresh outbreak.
In New Jersey, 3,900 farmworkers had been tested as of Thursday and 193 were positive for the virus, according to the state’s Department of Health. Of these, 14 migrant workers who had nowhere to remain isolated were placed in quarantine at a state-run field hospital at the Atlantic City Convention Center.In New Jersey, 3,900 farmworkers had been tested as of Thursday and 193 were positive for the virus, according to the state’s Department of Health. Of these, 14 migrant workers who had nowhere to remain isolated were placed in quarantine at a state-run field hospital at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
“It’s a little dangerous,” said Felix Nieves, 56, who works as a supervisor at Atlantic Blueberry. The 1,300-acre farm is considered the biggest blueberry producer in the Northeast.“It’s a little dangerous,” said Felix Nieves, 56, who works as a supervisor at Atlantic Blueberry. The 1,300-acre farm is considered the biggest blueberry producer in the Northeast.
“But farming never stops. The fruit will not wait for this to pass.”“But farming never stops. The fruit will not wait for this to pass.”
The first round of testing at Atlantic Blueberry was done early in the season, before most workers had arrived. Three of the first 56 people tested were positive for the virus.The first round of testing at Atlantic Blueberry was done early in the season, before most workers had arrived. Three of the first 56 people tested were positive for the virus.
The health risks posed by the virus have made testing a priority at the sprawling farm, according to an owner, Paul Galletta.The health risks posed by the virus have made testing a priority at the sprawling farm, according to an owner, Paul Galletta.
“As often as they can come, we will test,” Mr. Galletta said of the health workers who wore white jumpsuits, masks, face shields and gloves as they gathered nasal swabs. They have returned three times.“As often as they can come, we will test,” Mr. Galletta said of the health workers who wore white jumpsuits, masks, face shields and gloves as they gathered nasal swabs. They have returned three times.
A sick work force during a short growing season could be financially catastrophic.A sick work force during a short growing season could be financially catastrophic.
“This crop comes in, virus or no virus,” said Denny Doyle, president of the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council.“This crop comes in, virus or no virus,” said Denny Doyle, president of the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council.
Atlantic Blueberry purchased 3,000 bandannas and gave each worker two — one to wear, one to wash — and hung fire-retardant cloth between beds in the dormitories where hundreds of laborers live during the season. Mr. Doyle said the farm also purchased several additional buses to create extra space on the shuttles that run to and from the fields.Atlantic Blueberry purchased 3,000 bandannas and gave each worker two — one to wear, one to wash — and hung fire-retardant cloth between beds in the dormitories where hundreds of laborers live during the season. Mr. Doyle said the farm also purchased several additional buses to create extra space on the shuttles that run to and from the fields.
Agriculture is New Jersey’s third-largest industry. The state is among the nation’s top producers of blueberries, cranberries, peaches and eggplant.Agriculture is New Jersey’s third-largest industry. The state is among the nation’s top producers of blueberries, cranberries, peaches and eggplant.
In May, state health officials arranged for four federally qualified health centers to begin testing and issued safety guidelines that offered a range of ambitious — some say impractical — suggestions for farm owners. Farmers were told to avoid bunked beds, require masks and create separate housing for anyone who tested positive for the virus, among other recommendations.In May, state health officials arranged for four federally qualified health centers to begin testing and issued safety guidelines that offered a range of ambitious — some say impractical — suggestions for farm owners. Farmers were told to avoid bunked beds, require masks and create separate housing for anyone who tested positive for the virus, among other recommendations.
There are no penalties for noncompliance.There are no penalties for noncompliance.
New Jersey’s 5 percent rate of infection among farmworkers may actually be higher. Day laborers who do not live on the farms are unlikely to be among those tested by the health centers. Workers who are tested in private medical practices are not included in the tally.New Jersey’s 5 percent rate of infection among farmworkers may actually be higher. Day laborers who do not live on the farms are unlikely to be among those tested by the health centers. Workers who are tested in private medical practices are not included in the tally.
The testing program is also voluntary, and 57 farms have barred medical teams from doing on-site testing, according to Dr. Lori Talbot, who treats migrant farm workers and viewed the list of noncompliant farms that was sent to the state’s health and labor departments.The testing program is also voluntary, and 57 farms have barred medical teams from doing on-site testing, according to Dr. Lori Talbot, who treats migrant farm workers and viewed the list of noncompliant farms that was sent to the state’s health and labor departments.
Dr. Talbot, who runs a clinic in Bridgeton, N.J., said 18 percent of the 200 farmworkers she tested in May were positive for the coronavirus; many were asymptomatic, but two patients died of Covid-19.Dr. Talbot, who runs a clinic in Bridgeton, N.J., said 18 percent of the 200 farmworkers she tested in May were positive for the coronavirus; many were asymptomatic, but two patients died of Covid-19.
“This is just a whole new level of pain for farmworkers,” Dr. Talbot said. “They’re arriving now, and they’re coming from places with high rates of infection.”“This is just a whole new level of pain for farmworkers,” Dr. Talbot said. “They’re arriving now, and they’re coming from places with high rates of infection.”
The state’s health commissioner, Judith M. Persichilli, has cited the prevalence of cases among farmworkers as one of the possible reasons the positivity rate in South Jersey is now higher than it is in other parts of the state.The state’s health commissioner, Judith M. Persichilli, has cited the prevalence of cases among farmworkers as one of the possible reasons the positivity rate in South Jersey is now higher than it is in other parts of the state.
Linda Flake, the chief executive of Southern Jersey Family Medical Center, one of the four health centers coordinating testing, said the perception that workers might carry the virus breeds a fear that, in ways, is worse than the risk of the disease itself.Linda Flake, the chief executive of Southern Jersey Family Medical Center, one of the four health centers coordinating testing, said the perception that workers might carry the virus breeds a fear that, in ways, is worse than the risk of the disease itself.
“Fingers are being pointed at the farmworkers,” she said. “I’m more concerned about them being stigmatized.”“Fingers are being pointed at the farmworkers,” she said. “I’m more concerned about them being stigmatized.”
In May at a large agricultural greenhouse in Oneida, N.Y., Green Empire Farms, one in four workers contracted the virus, according to a spokeswoman for Madison County, Samantha Field. Community backlash followed, playing out on social media and in panicked telephone calls.In May at a large agricultural greenhouse in Oneida, N.Y., Green Empire Farms, one in four workers contracted the virus, according to a spokeswoman for Madison County, Samantha Field. Community backlash followed, playing out on social media and in panicked telephone calls.
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
“There was a lot of community outrage,” Ms. Field said. “A lot of people were blaming them.”“There was a lot of community outrage,” Ms. Field said. “A lot of people were blaming them.”
Yet the risk of spread is most pronounced within the cramped camps themselves. Of 100 laborers tested at a watermelon farm in Florida, 90 were found to have the virus, according to Florida’s governor.Yet the risk of spread is most pronounced within the cramped camps themselves. Of 100 laborers tested at a watermelon farm in Florida, 90 were found to have the virus, according to Florida’s governor.
In New Jersey, at Cassaday Farms in Gloucester County, 70 of the 90 workers contracted the virus, according to the owner, George Cassaday.In New Jersey, at Cassaday Farms in Gloucester County, 70 of the 90 workers contracted the virus, according to the owner, George Cassaday.
Mr. Cassaday asked Southern Jersey Family Medical Center to conduct testing after an older worker became ill and was hospitalized for about a week. None of the other workers showed severe symptoms, said Mr. Cassaday, who also contracted the virus; he was tested after he could no longer smell his favorite flowers, hyacinths.Mr. Cassaday asked Southern Jersey Family Medical Center to conduct testing after an older worker became ill and was hospitalized for about a week. None of the other workers showed severe symptoms, said Mr. Cassaday, who also contracted the virus; he was tested after he could no longer smell his favorite flowers, hyacinths.
Most of his employees travel each spring from Mexico on H-2A worker visas, and stay for the harvest of early and late-season crops, including broccoli, corn, strawberries and squash.Most of his employees travel each spring from Mexico on H-2A worker visas, and stay for the harvest of early and late-season crops, including broccoli, corn, strawberries and squash.
He says his business is as dependent on their health as he is on their trust.He says his business is as dependent on their health as he is on their trust.
“I eat with the men. I visit them in Mexico,” Mr. Cassaday said. “We’re one big family.”“I eat with the men. I visit them in Mexico,” Mr. Cassaday said. “We’re one big family.”
At least half the nation’s farmworkers are believed to be undocumented, according to Bruce Goldstein, president of Farmworker Justice, a national advocacy organization focused on labor standards and occupational safety.At least half the nation’s farmworkers are believed to be undocumented, according to Bruce Goldstein, president of Farmworker Justice, a national advocacy organization focused on labor standards and occupational safety.
“What we’re hearing from all over is that people are too fearful of being fired or deported to ask for improvement of the health and safety practices,” Mr. Goldstein said.“What we’re hearing from all over is that people are too fearful of being fired or deported to ask for improvement of the health and safety practices,” Mr. Goldstein said.
Migrant farmworkers are not included in the categories of foreign workers barred in June by President Trump from entering the country. But finding enough people to work the fields has been a problem on farms in the United States long before the coronavirus.Migrant farmworkers are not included in the categories of foreign workers barred in June by President Trump from entering the country. But finding enough people to work the fields has been a problem on farms in the United States long before the coronavirus.
There has been a fivefold increase in the number of H-2A visas requested and approved since 2005, climbing to 258,000 last year — “one of the clearest indicators of the scarcity of farm labor,” according to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture.There has been a fivefold increase in the number of H-2A visas requested and approved since 2005, climbing to 258,000 last year — “one of the clearest indicators of the scarcity of farm labor,” according to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture.
On New Jersey’s blueberry farms, a labor shortage over the last several years has led to an expanded use of machinery to harvest the fruit, which can be damaged in the process and then must be sold frozen, not fresh.On New Jersey’s blueberry farms, a labor shortage over the last several years has led to an expanded use of machinery to harvest the fruit, which can be damaged in the process and then must be sold frozen, not fresh.
Guidance issued by the United States for the safety of the nation’s estimated 2.4 million farmworkers is not mandatory. A New Jersey state senator, M. Teresa Ruiz, has introduced a bill to make the state’s recommendations binding.Guidance issued by the United States for the safety of the nation’s estimated 2.4 million farmworkers is not mandatory. A New Jersey state senator, M. Teresa Ruiz, has introduced a bill to make the state’s recommendations binding.
“Each state is on their own,” said Amy Liebman, director of environmental and occupational health at the Migrant Clinicians Network, a nonprofit for health care organizations. “In some cases, each farm is on their own.”“Each state is on their own,” said Amy Liebman, director of environmental and occupational health at the Migrant Clinicians Network, a nonprofit for health care organizations. “In some cases, each farm is on their own.”
Sara A. Quandt, a professor and medical anthropologist who teaches epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest School of Medicine, has begun a survey of farmworkers’ understanding of the virus and social distancing.Sara A. Quandt, a professor and medical anthropologist who teaches epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest School of Medicine, has begun a survey of farmworkers’ understanding of the virus and social distancing.
She said she was frustrated by “victim blaming” and suggestions that the infection rate in migrant communities is somehow linked to poor hygiene.She said she was frustrated by “victim blaming” and suggestions that the infection rate in migrant communities is somehow linked to poor hygiene.
“There is inherent racism going on,” Professor Quandt said, “that perhaps their lives are not worth quite as much and perhaps it’s their own darn fault.”“There is inherent racism going on,” Professor Quandt said, “that perhaps their lives are not worth quite as much and perhaps it’s their own darn fault.”