Thread by @weareoversight

As Covid-19 spread through crowded and already dangerous meatpacking plants, companies sought to avoid closures and to reduce important safety regulations. We’re investigating the meat industry's influence at federal agencies during the pandemic.
americanoversight.org/investigation/…

The Trump administration frequently conceded to demands from the meatpacking and food industry, taking actions that allowed plants to stay open as coronavirus cases rose. As of this month, more than 90,000 meat and food processing workers have tested positive for Covid-19.

On April 28, then-President Trump signed an executive order labeling meat-processing plants “critical infrastructure,” which allowed plants to remain open during the pandemic.

Documents obtained by American Oversight and Public Citizen showed that one week before, meat industry representatives had provided the administration with a very similar draft order.
americanoversight.org/emails-reveal-…

The documents also included emails from May 2020 in which a senior USDA official gave the go-ahead to reopen a Smithfield plant after a major outbreak.
usatoday.com/story/news/202…

American Oversight is investigating the industry's influence on the pandemic response, and its role in pushing policies designed to protect profits instead of workers. Follow our investigation here:
americanoversight.org/areas_of_inves…