How effective are plexiglass shields at protection from COVID-19?
DETROIT โ Youโve no doubt seen the plexiglass dividers being used to protect people in different public settings. Now they have been installed on the stage at Wednesdayโs 2020 Vice Presidential Debate to shield the participants from each other, but are they effective? Plexiglass shields and partial walls sound like a good idea -- a solid barrier between two people must do something to protect them from each other -- but many of the extreme measures weโre taking in these days of COVID-19 arenโt necessarily rooted in science and often become hygiene theater. In many ways itโs a similar circumstance to the question over the effectiveness of face shields. Recent analysis has shown while they do block large droplets -- aerosols can travel around them.
Smithfield Foods pork plant faces OSHA fine from outbreak
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. Four plant workers were killed by the virus during the spring and at least 1,294 workers were sickened. Smithfield Foods, which is based in Virginia, said it planned to contest the citation and $13,494 fine. But large outbreaks at meatpacking plants across the nation soon followed. After President Donald Trump signed an executive order in Apri l deeming meatpacking plants as critical infrastructure, they mostly stayed open.
Democrats charge OSHA isn't protecting front-line workers
Instead of an emergency standard, the agency has relied on voluntary guidance that recommends companies erect physical barriers, enforce social distancing and install more hand-sanitizing stations, among other steps. More than 80,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among health care workers, meatpacking employees and prison staff, including at least 372 deaths, Adams said. OSHA quickly pivoted to focus intensely on giving employers and workers the guidance they need to work safely in this rapidly changing situation. A group of Senate Democrats asked the Labor Departments inspector general to investigate OSHAs inspections and citations related to COVID-19. The lawmakers, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., also want the watchdog to investigate OSHAs decision not to put in place a temporary emergency standard to deal with the virus.
Meatpacking safety recommendations are largely unenforceable
FILE - In this May 7, 2020, file photo, workers leave the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Logansport, Ind. Federal recommendations meant to keep meatpacking workers safe as they return to plants that were shuttered by the coronavirus have little enforcement muscle behind them, fueling anxiety that working conditions could put employees' lives at risk. Major meatpackers JBS, Smithfield and Tyson have said worker safety is their highest priority. The pandemic is the most massive workers safety crisis in many decades, and OSHA is in the closet. After Trump's executive order developed with input from the industry the Labor Department and OSHA said OSHA would use discretion and consider good faith attempts to follow safety recommendations.