To Fight COVID–19, We Need to Build Worker Power and Worker Safety
We can’t take COVID–19 prevention seriously if we fail to address the millions of workers who are forced to work without proper protection from exposure. To do that, we need both worker organizing and pro-worker legislative reforms right now.
A worker is stacking food boxes at the distribution center of Coastal Sunbelt Produce on May 15, 2020 in Laurel, Maryland. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
The number of COVID-19 cases seems to be flattening, for now, and states are moving to open nonessential businesses.
But we aren’t taking prevention seriously if we fail to address the millions of workers forced to work without proper protection from exposure.
To begin with, there should be fewer workers working than are already, given the high risks to health and safety. And we need relief funds that cover everyone who’s not working. But for those at work, we need to ensure far more is done to protect them, their families, and, consequently, us all.
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