United Food and Commercial Workers International hosts teleconference

On Thursday, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) hosted a dial-in telephone townhall concerning the COVID-19 virus and how it is affecting food processing facilities, as well as the community. Mike Menefee moderated the call.

According to Menefee, he was sent to the Perdue chicken plant in Perry to see how the UFCW could assist after employees walked out of the plant amid concerns regarding protective measures being implemented to keep employees from catching the virus.

“Unlike many of us, these employees don’t have the opportunity to work from home. They are essential workers who are doing their part to help feed America and keep our country running,” Menefee said, further adding that though they are essential, they are still concerned about keeping their families, as well as themselves, safe. Menefee said the call was meant to be an atmosphere where individuals could receive the facts about COVID-19 as well as create a platform where workers could share concerns and receive answers.

The call consisted of a panel of representatives including Bishop Harvey B. Bee of Winning Church of Warner Robins, Dr. Gregory Bolden of the Comprehensive Men’s Health Foundation, President of the Houston County NAACP Reverend Dr. Rutha Jackson, Chief Nursing Officer for Houston Healthcare Shellisa Houston Martin, and the Senior Servicing Director of the UFCW Local 1996 Ralph Porras.

Bishop Bee made the observation that there seems to be a virus or sickness every 100 years, and added that those who faced the Spanish Flu pandemic overcame it, and that he believed that the current generation would do the same in regard to COVID-19. He also noted that as a pastor, he found that people wanted answers and needed hope as well.

“I trust that many of us will do the things that we need to do to make this easier, because it is going to be something that we are all going to have to tread through together. I believe we will win together,” Bee said.

Dr. Bolden encouraged the community to look to the CDC for information concerning the virus, and stressed that it is a new virus with no vaccine and no cure. Bolden also shared that in most cases, the afflicted will have mild forms of the virus, and that the severe cases, many times, require hospitalization. Bolden reviewed that the virus is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets, which is the reasoning behind the CDC’s recommendation to wear a face covering when leaving home, to protect others in the event that you are infected with the virus.

Bolden shared that if a person suspects that they have been in contact or exposed to COVID-19, it is recommended that they stay home and away from others to avoid spreading the virus. Bolden said that before going back to work, a person should either have two negative tests for the virus within 24 hours, be asymptomatic, or have no fever for three consecutive days, or after seven days after the virus presents itself.

According to Bolden, a concerning area is the virus’ affect on the African-American community due to its increased possibility of underlying health issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Conditions such and upper respiratory diseases, as well as tobacco use and vaping which can affect the immune system and increase the chance or mortality, are also concerns.

Chief Nursing Officer Martin spoke of some lesser common symptoms to look for that are being seen as a result of the virus, aside from coughing, fever and shortness of breath. These symptoms include chest pains, chest heaviness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, body aches, weakness, and even pink or red eyes.

Martin said that there is no one person that is not at risk to contract the virus, and that children, while they may not show symptoms, can be carriers, and added that there have been young people afflicted by the virus.

Martin echoed Bolden’s concerns for the African-American community, citing comorbidities that may be exhibited within the population, adding that conditions such as asthma and kidney disease to Bolden’s earlier statement. Martin said that the presence of these conditions could increase the risk of complications, and to take preventative measures as well.

Martin also commented on protective measures against the virus, such as social distancing and washing hands for at least 20 second before touching the face and carrying personal pens, and disinfecting highly touched surfaces daily—adding that it is important to keep cell phones clean.

Martin also informed that the emergency room remains open to the community for things other than COVID-19, and added that there are separation measures in place, such as triage tents outside the building, to keep suspected and confirmed COVID-19 and patients with other ailments separated from each other.

Martin added that wearing gloves can cause cross contamination, and that in most cases, wearing no gloves and regularly washing and sanitizing hands may be the better plan of action.

Reverend Doctor Jackson said that there is a demand for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Package to be “a part of every household affected by the coronavirus.” Jackson said that the package adds an additional $600 weekly to any individual eligible for state and federal unemployment programs. According to Jackson, the Georgia Department of Labor will begin to send these weekly supplements this week, and will include all eligible weeks beginning with the week ending on April 4.

Jackson also spoke of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which would provide unemployment benefits to those who do not usually qualify for unemployment benefits, such as the self-employed, those who are 1099, independent contractors, church employees, and employees of not for profit organizations, among others. Also, The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, said Jackson, is available to assist individuals for up to 13 weeks after the end of initial unemployment benefits.

Jackson said that it is important for information to be shared so that those in the community would be able to have the correct information to seek resources, and the importance of discussing what is going on.

Porras said that the primary objective of the UFCW is for employees to have a safe working environment, and to make working lives better. Porras shared that social distancing in some work environments can be difficult, but it is not impossible, and that it is important to take every step necessary to ensure that these employees are able to practice social distancing.

Porras also spoke of child care and the cost of child care while schools are closed.

“Many parents cannot afford to leave their children or afford additional day care expenses, so it becomes financially challenging for these working families to continue to be able to work,” Porras said, adding that many companies have been able to devise different solutions to this issue such as grants, child care and bonus pay.

Porras said that another concern that has become common is what happens if an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19 and cannot go to work, and how are their bills going to get paid? Porras said that many companies that hold union contracts with UFCW have been able to come to the agreement that if an employee were to be quarantined that they would be paid for the duration of the period.

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