MORNING SERIAL
PLUS the noisy working environment means workers have to shout loudly, spreading virus-filled water droplets further.
In addition the workers themselves are more likely to be young and therefore asymptomatic, allowing the virus to spread through the population without detection.
Several researchers at the time suggested that a further factor was many of the staff in such plants are migrant workers, exposed to overcrowded accommodation and transported on overcrowded buses. In addition, people on low incomes or with insecure employment are less likely to isolate when they have symptoms for fear of penalties or being unable to live on statutory sick pay.
Back in April, staff at Rowan Foods in Wrexham staged a walkout in protest at the working conditions in the light of the unfolding pandemic with North Wales Police attending multiple times to “assist in providing assurances and guidance to key workers around travel to work”.
Speaking of meat and feeling sick, the start of June also saw the reopening of McDonalds drive-thrus with long queues appearing all over Wales as people welcomed the return of the Big Mac.
Less welcome was that within two days we started to see the return of McDonalds wrappers and rubbish to many Welsh roadsides – not ‘lovin’ it’.
Moving into June, plans were being put in place for limited reopening of part of the economy, and debate sprang up around the wearing of masks. Leading doctors called on Welsh Government to change its position on face coverings, arguing that they should be worn in places where people were not able to socially distance.
British Medical Association (BMA) Cymru Wales council chair, Dr David Bailey said: “There still remains a considerable risk of infection, and emerging evidence has shown that if mouths and noses are covered when people are in areas where they cannot socially distance, it may help in controlling the spread of infection of Covid-19 and therefore save lives.”
> Lockdown Wales by Will Hayward £9.99 www.serenbooks.com/productdisplay/lockdown-wales ISBN 9781781726013
CONTINUES TOMORROW