Move certain workers to the head of the line

On the front page of last week’s Sunday U-T was an article titled, “There’s broad agreement on who will get the vaccine first. Who’s next?” It was the impetus for this essay. The first time I read the article I was struck by the word “agreement,” that while so much concerning distribution of the vaccine seems to be in flux, that word offered encouragement that significant decisions had already been made.

The second time I read the article I took a step back from the agreement premise and focused on what Dr. Susan Little from UC San Diego said: There would be stress, anger and anxiety about the vaccine distribution. She called for transparency and clear messaging. Would that those attributes rein in further discussion of how the vaccine will be used.

The third time through, I focused on who would get the vaccine first. Though I am mostly in agreement with the experts about who should be prioritized, there’s a group of workers not even mentioned though their labors are essential to us. I refer to the workers who pick, process and pack our vegetables and fruits. Do we stop and appreciate the hands and time that go into providing fresh spinach, cabbage for coleslaw, and broccoli? Do we think about these workers at all? About how the virus is affecting them? About how they cannot call in sick because they’re the sole financial support for their families? And about how they certainly cannot work from home? About the fear they must contend with every day, wondering if someone on their crew has been infected?

Then there are those who work in the slaughterhouses. At these meat processing plants the workers are under constant pressure to increase their output while working dangerously close to other laborers.

They, too, do not have the luxury of safely staying home because they bear the financial weight for their families. Their dire situation should be factored into every pork chop you chomp, every hamburger you enjoy. Honestly, consider the cost.

And so my request of those important and knowledgeable persons in charge of vaccine distribution in the state of California is that they remember and prioritize those who provide us with fresh fruits and vegetables as well as those who process our meat for safe delivery. They deserve to be considered essential workers.

Pat Taylor, North Park