Essential workers need essential protections as meatpacking outbreaks grow
Growing COVID-19 outbreaks and meat and poultry plant closures across the country highlight that the clock is ticking for Nebraska to take stronger safety measures to protect its workforce and communities.
In nearby Sioux Falls, one of the largest pork processing facilities in the U.S. is closing until further notice with the worst hotspot in the U.S. and more than 600 cases. Here in Nebraska, workers in Grand Island’s JBS plant, a Hastings meatpacking plant, and Fremont’s chicken plant have tested positive for COVID-19.
Nebraska needs to institute physical distancing measures on the processing floor in all meat and poultry plants as well as provide employees with paid sick leave so they can afford to monitor symptoms. These protections will help slow the spread and make sure that workers, their families, and communities are able to stay safe.
Take action: Contact Governor Ricketts by calling his office at (402) 471-2244 and ask him to ensure all plants institute critical 6-foot distancing on the processing line. We can keep Nebraska’s workers and communities safe while food production continues.
Tell Congress: Pass the Dream & Promise Act for community and family stability!
We celebrate the Supreme Court DACA ruling that for now keeps Nebraska communities and families whole! But the stress and uncertainty Nebraskans faced leading up to the decision shows why we urgently need permanent legislation.
For more than a decade, we have seen strong, statewide support for Nebraska Dreamers. A year ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, but the Senate has not taken up the bill for a vote.
Take Action: Urge your U.S. Senators to pass long-overdue protections for Nebraska Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status families
It is time for the Senate to pass the Dream and Promise Act and create stability for long-time residents, families, and whole communities.
| Sen. Deb Fischer (202) 224-6551 | Sen. Ben Sasse (202) 224-4224 |
Tell Your Story: What Does Medicaid Expansion Mean to You?
After years of waiting, Nebraskans in the coverage gap will finally be able to enroll in expanded Medicaid coverage later this year. We want to know why Medicaid expansion is important to you. How will it make a difference for you or your loved ones?
We Count: Complete your 2020 Census!
The Census Bureau has begun sending out letters with information on how to fill out the census online — have you completed yours?
10 minutes + 10 questions = Nebraska Counts
The census portal is live and simple to use. Complete the census from your smartphone or computer now by:
- Going to my2020census.gov
- Entering your address OR entering the Census ID you received in the mail.
If completing online is not the best method for you, call 844-330-2020 to complete the questionnaire by phone in English, or call the number on this list associated with your preferred language.
You can also complete the questionnaire on paper by continuing to check your mail for a paper form from the Census Bureau!
Once you’ve completed your census, encourage your friends, families, and neighbors to fill it out too, so that we can ensure everyone in our community has access to the resources they need! Post your census selfie and use the hashtags #NebraskaCounts, #WeCount #TodosContamos, #CensoCompleto!
Check out our “We Count” blog series:
- We Count! Together, let’s make sure our communities are counted
- We Count! The Power of Participation
- ¡Todos Contamos! El Poder de Participación
Schools are Closed but Nutrition Programs Continue
The COVID-19 pandemic has closed all of Nebraska’s 244 school districts for the foreseeable future. However, state administrators and school nutrition professionals have worked tirelessly to make sure students and families have the meals they need to be healthy, active, and safe.
Despite being closed, over 150 Nebraska districts are serving grab and go breakfast and lunch, drive through packages of food, or delivering meals to students in their homes. Using methods that work for their communities, these nutrition professionals are working to make sure kids are getting the meals they are missing at school.
View our interactive map to see if your school district is participating in COVID-related grab and go meal service or learn more about Nebraska Appleseed’s school meal efforts.
