COVID-19

By the end of 2021, COVID-19 has caused over 51 million infections and 805,000 deaths in the US. Pre-existing lung disease, such as COPD, has been linked to more severe COVID-19 symptoms and poor outcomes. Prior research has shown that agricultural workers, especially those working in livestock production, have an increased risk for inflammatory lung disease because of exposure to inhaled organic dust. In this webinar presentation, Dr. Wyatt will share his research on swine production workers and explore their risk for COVID-19 infection and severe disease due to existing dust-induced lung inflammation.

COVID-19 adds new uncertainties to farming on top of a five-year or longer economic recession in most sectors of agriculture.  Like climate shifts, tariffs, and disease outbreaks in crops and livestock, COVID-19 is largely beyond the control of agricultural producers.  Importantly however, we can mostly control how we behave.  Agricultural producers will learn how to develop plans for minimizing infections of the virus, set up arrangements for access to necessary inputs such as equipment and repairs, contracts for a labor force and transportation, and where to become knowledgeable about federal and state assistance programs.

Dr. Lisa Morici will talk about how the vaccines have been developed, the safety and efficacy information from clinical trials and real-world data, and why vaccination works to help stop the spread of COVID-19. She will provide updates on the vaccines, including the 3 dose recommendation for immunocompromised individuals, updates on booster doses, and status on vaccines for children. Please join us in this important webinar so together we can reduce the spread of misinformation and help agricultural communities access the COVID-19 vaccine.

As COVID-19 vaccination requirements continue changing across the country, access to vaccines and testing remains vital for the health of our agricultural communities. Many local Health Departments have mobile units that can provide free, on-farm services. The National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH) will share an overview of strategies and resources on how to proactively ensure the well-being of your workforce. Presenters will show you how to find free mobile health services in your area and share available resources and tips on how to find health education materials that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for farmworkers.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has profoundly affected humans on a global scale in a noticeably short time. Individuals working in agriculture who, as “essential workers”, are exempt from stay-home mandates, and are naturally at increased risk of negative health, economic, social, and familial consequences from the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Language and cultural differences, rural geographies, socioeconomic pressures, and immigration status are among the barriers that impede agricultural workers access to critical education and prevention technologies emerging to combat COVID-19. Additionally, the unusual persistence and multimodal transmission cycle of SARS-CoV-2 emerging from ongoing scientific study may require customization of otherwise standard prevention messaging to agricultural workers to further prevent infection and disease exacerbation.

This presentation will highlight protective measures ag employers can take to reduce transmission of infectious diseases, including the new COVID-19 variants. Interim guidance from the CDC and U.S. Department of Labor, “Agricultural Employer Checklist for Creating a COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plan,” will be reviewed throughout the presentation. This presentation will also promote mitigation strategies, including COVID-19 vaccines, current evidence-based resources addressing vaccine confidence, and workplace infection control.

The coronavirus pandemic has challenged our way of thinking, living and interacting. Get the information you need to make decisions for yourself and your family. This is a discussion addressing common questions about COVID-19 vaccines.  Watch the recording of this neighbor-to-neighbor virtual discussion to sort through information concerning the COVID-19 vaccines.