News Worldwide impact of the novel coronavirus (covid-19)

[joeylittle]

The food supply chain is breaking so I figured out that we needed a deep freezer.

Seriously? Did you read the article you linked? I'm guessing you just stopped at the click-bait headline.

The most relevant quote, re: the broken food supply chain:

Nationally, although the reduced meat supply is expected to cause consumer prices to rise, expectations are that the increases will be slight. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said late last week that it expects beef prices to climb 1% to 2% this year, poultry as much as 1.5% and pork between by from 2% and 3%.

And do you know why Tyson foods pushed the message, "the supply chain is breaking"?

They want more government subsidy to pay for the cleaning/materials they are required to use in order to keep their workers and their product safe.

[Tyson] spokesman Gary Mickelson told the Associated Press that the Tyson family thought it was important to explain their perspective. “The letter encourages government leaders to unite to address food supply chain challenges," Mickelson said. "We are taking a proactive approach to balance safety and production by moving aggressively with testing and plant closures when necessary."

Now, something that's not about corporate interests - the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) announced their petition to the US government, in a press release dated April 23, which reads (in part):

UFCW International urgently called for the White House Coronavirus Task Force to prioritize five safety actions targeted toward the meatpacking industry, including: (1) increased worker testing, (2) priority access to PPE, (3) halting line speed waivers, (4) mandating social distancing, and (5) isolating workers with symptoms or testing positive for COVID-19.

There's a symbiotic relationship between any labor union and the corporate entities they labor for. Tyson is doing well by supporting the union in their desire for more protection overall for their workers. BUT - they are failing to put their own considerable financial resources towards addressing these bigger issues.

Tyson announcing that the food supply chain is "breaking" is part of a strategy. They took out a full-page ad in the New York Times in order to publish their letter. It's not breaking news - certainly not in a way that means people need to run out and hoard meat.

I appreciate the link, @Deanna. But - speaking only as a member, not as admin - I don't appreciate the click-bait, not one f*cking bit. Posting that article, with no comment? Enough of the f*cking sky is falling right now, thanks. It's like yelling "fire" in a crowded theatre. You wanna be like that, ok. No-one can stop you. But in my opinion, pushing a panic button in the middle of a disaster is a shitty thing to do.

/off soapbox.

Many, many commercial endeavors in the US are at-risk or failing right now. These things are ALL worth paying attention to. Peoples' lives all have worth. A person's life depends on many things - food, shelter, water, access to medical care, a livelihood to pay for it all, support to lean on when the jobs disappear, when the business fails...All these things matter, and they are all affecting each other. More and more, I'm re-learning that context is everything. Information is meaningless, without context.

So yeah, factories are having a problem. Food industries are having a problem. Meat, produce, fish...all face different challenges. The best advice for the US consumer is, figure out how to shop locally, and stay current on how your state is managing food. Don't forget about the farmers+produce+in-state meat markets. Expect to see more local wholesalers selling to the general public.

I did a lot of reading writing this post...here's a solid article from the Wall Street Journal focusing on food distribution - challenges and solutions - from a human-interest angle. IMO, it's non-biased and has interesting information. Apologies if it's paywalled.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Thank you @joeylittle! Context matters for sure! I didn't have a chance to read the link provided and should have before replying to it or making it cause me panic.

It's frustrating how much incorrect information that's out there about Covid-19. Especially "the world is ending" ones. I wish we could just put out correct information. It takes so much more digging to weed through the shit stuff and getting to the good stuff and thats frustating. Not everyone has hours to research. I just find that frustrating.

That said, I very much appreciate those that correct the misinformation. So, again, thank you!

 

[LuckiLee]

I got a call from my employer today. Listen to this b.s. They took the business bailout/stimulus money from the government. What that means for us workerbees is that they will put us back on the payroll at 40 hours starting next week so we won't be allowed to collect the added stimulus money from the government. They will. ?

She had the audacity to tell me it was to be able to keep our health insurance active. B#tch I'll pay my insurance for the month out of that little bit of extra money the government was giving US. WTF. Now it goes in your grubby little hands. Capitalism at its finest.

I work for a fairly large automotive supplier that makes hundreds of millions of dollars in profits. How can they be considered "small business"? Help the little guy. The mom and pop shops the "me's" of the country.

I'm so mad!!

 

[somerandomguy]

Wait @LuckiLee, that $1200 stimulus money isn't tied to your employment. I work full time and still got the full amount. Something is really fishy there.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Wait @LuckiLee, that $1200 stimulus money isn't tied to your employment. I work full time and still got the full amount. Something is really fishy there.

So did I and I'm still working

 

[siniang]

What that means for us workerbees is that they will put us back on the payroll at 40 hours starting next week so we won't be allowed to collect the added stimulus money from the government. They will. ?

Wait @LuckiLee, that $1200 stimulus money isn't tied to your employment. I work full time and still got the full amount. Something is really fishy there.

I can only assume, but it sounds that @LuckiLee was layed off = went onto unemployment. Those get an additional $600/week.

 

[somerandomguy]

Those get an additional $600/week.

Ohhh ... I wasn't aware. Well, that's shitty that you're not getting your full stimulus, LuckiLee.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Those get an additional $600/week.

So they get $600 a week but not the one time $1,200?

$600 a week is $1,200 every two weeks. Way more then I make every paycheck (every 2 weeks).

 

[LuckiLee]

The stimulus was in addition to unemployment benefits. Weekly. Which was more money than working 40 for most people. Made no sense to us but we'll take it. People paying bills and playing catch up.

Instead we're back on the payroll so there goes the additional stimulus. I know I probably sound greedy but damn finally something that could have impacted families in positive ways during this mess and it gets the kabash and instead lines big corporations pockets.

Stupid!

 

[Ronin]

I know I probably sound greedy but damn finally something that could have impacted families in positive ways during this mess and it gets the kabash and instead lines big corporations pockets.
Stupid!

Nah, not greedy.
Stressed out & understandably upset by policies effecting your keeping your household together, yes.

Greedy, nah.

& Can we please not go into the money oppression olympics, everyone? We don't need bad blood in a functional community over vital nonsense that nobody of us can do much with as above our paygrade.

I make miillion... in Monopoly money. :woot: And gonna share that ;)

 

[lostforgottensoul]

& Can we please not go into the money oppression olympics, everyone? We don't need bad blood in a functional community over vital nonsense that nobody of us can do much with as above our paygrade.

That wasn't my intent. Im sorry if it sounded that way. Was more thinking outloud as a statement. Not as a competition or shaming or anything. It does read that way. Sorry about that.

 

[Ronin]

No worries @lostforgottensoul :) Didn't tag you as also not meaning to single you out, more concerned about arguments & bad griefing that could easily roll out just because times tough, tension high.

(& pardon the OT. / Now to regularly scheduled programmin' sign ;) )