New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is citing the real problem with the outbreaks that will likely continue to arise as meat processing plants resume operations — and it has very little to do with the meat.
During an interview on MSNBC, host Rachel Maddow noted the coronavirus outbreak at a food processing plant in northern New York. She asked the governor if he expects more similar occurrences in other places throughout his state in the coming months and how he plans to tackle those outbreaks.
Cuomo admitted that he does foresee similar problems arising. He also noted that he’d been asked on multiple occasions what is it about “meat” that contributes to outbreaks. The governor explained the real problem.
“The short answer is yes, I do expect that, and this has nothing to do with meat, right?” Cuomo said. “I know there were meat processing plants. A lot of people have said, ‘Well, what is it about meat?'”
“It’s not about the meat. It’s not about the agricultural farm. It’s about the density. It’s about the gathering. It’s about that size and all it takes is one. The Rule of One works, Rachel. All you need is one person who is infected in a mass gathering, a large gathering with density and they become a super spreader.”
See Cuomo’s remarks below:
Cuomo’s interview follows coronavirus outbreaks in meat processing plants across the United States.
A recent CDC report, published on May 8, shows more than 4,900 meat and poultry processing plant workers across 19 states have tested positive for the coronavirus which is likely due to the close proximity in which they work.
Oftentimes, workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder which has made the virus easier to spread from person-to-person. As a result of the massive outbreaks, several meat processing plants have shut down operations at certain plants.
To combat the shortage of meat, President Donald Trump previously signed an executive order where he invoked the Defense Production Act to order meat-processing plants to resume operations amid the pandemic.
Meat plants are now working to develop safe reopening guidelines and strategies to resume operations.