Many of us are being advised to isolate at home during this pandemic, but that simply isn’t an option for many farm workers, medical care professionals, truck drivers, janitorial staff, domestic workers, and many others. These workers, many of whom are immigrants, are keeping our health care services and food supply lines running.
That means they themselves remain in danger of becoming sick, yet many don’t have access to sick days, paid leave, or adequate health care. Those who are being asked to stay home or who have been let go may not have access to unemployment insurance or another safety net. That’s why groups like the National Domestic Workers Alliance are fundraising to provide financial support for workers — which will help protect them, their families, and their communities from the spread of coronavirus.
Below, check out just some of the tweets, photos, and stories about immigrants working through this time of crisis, and remember to give thanks.
How ironic that cooks, nannys, delivery folks, construction workers, food pickers, housekeepers are working overtime right now. Did I mention many are undocumented??! When this is over I hope people realize how important the 11 million are to our country. Legalize them!
— Immig Atty Anibal NY/NJ (@AnibalRomeroLaw) March 19, 2020
Afkab and Aden – two of our clients, both interstate truck drivers who despite the current precarious situation, have dedicated their lives to continue supplying goods across states to keep stores stocked. #40YearsofWelcome #RefugeesWelcome pic.twitter.com/zodyLLvbzp
— CWS (@CWS_global) March 17, 2020
The people who harvest the food on our supermarket shelves don't get to telecommute. Most non-union farmworkers we've talked to aren't getting any info on #COVID19 & how to protect themselves. Your donation can help protect them @ https://t.co/CXN758e9Q7 #WeFeedYou pic.twitter.com/uUKbGlpVi0
— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) March 19, 2020
Domestic workers and caregivers are on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. Many of them are women or people of color who do not have basic protections like paid sick days. Congress must make sure they’re supported during this difficult time.https://t.co/4w9zaCiGfk
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 17, 2020
Thank you! To all agricultural workers who are working to ensure we have an adequate and safe food supply during this pandemic. #coronavirus #COVID19 #WeFeedYou pic.twitter.com/4DuOOfH2VS
— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) March 19, 2020
"They're literally holding it down. It is a profession of workers who just care." Thank you @kamalaharris for recognizing the importance of supporting domestic workers during this crisis. https://t.co/ajWoqQkTZb
— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) March 18, 2020
Francisco shared this photo with us from Santa Maria CA, where he is working in the strawberries after this weeks rain. #WeFeedYou / Francisco compartió esta foto con nosotros desde Santa Maria CA, donde trabajaba en las fresas después de la lluvia de esta semana. #WeFeedYou pic.twitter.com/eDxPnW09Rq
— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) March 19, 2020
“Without access to health care, paid time off or job security, they must navigate crisis & disaster time and again, without a safety net.” In this powerful piece, @aijenpoo urges employers & policymakers to prioritize the needs of our nation’s caregivers. https://t.co/J9OYkzXKka
— Melinda Gates (@melindagates) March 17, 2020
The prospect of food production workers testing positive for COVID-19 is a massive worry for the industry. If farm workers had to be quarantined, it could prove impossible to replace them.
"That would be really catastrophic," one vegetable grower says.https://t.co/omvtglV6qf
— NPR (@NPR) March 19, 2020
#virtualapplauseforfarmersandranchers includes farm workers. Without them, I wouldn’t have eaten strawberries 🍓 yesterday and most of us wouldn’t have eaten any fruits 🍎 or veggies 🍅 Thank you @UFWupdates @UFWF #WeFeedYou @KamalaHarris https://t.co/3aE03TJbcv
— Max Finberg (@maxfinberg) March 19, 2020
Let’s remember that the milk, fruit, meat, etc. we are rushing to the grocery store to purchase each day during this #coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, is primarily harvested by Immigrants, documented and undocumented. While many of us quarantine, Immigrants work hard to serve us. https://t.co/NdwGC5GEwZ
— Rondell Treviño (@Rondell_Trevino) March 18, 2020
Amadeo sent us this video where he and his co-workers were working Saturday harvesting strawberries in the rain. Let's hear it for the farmworkers were keeping food on our supermarket shelves. #WeFeedYou pic.twitter.com/nZCel7JLv8
— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) March 16, 2020
Our farmworkers better be included in any Government financial assistance. They give us life.
No toilet paper. We can survive.
No food. We are doomed.Thank you to all of the wonderful, hardworking farmworkers. Muchas gracias.
— Felonious Trump (@AtheistLiberal) March 19, 2020
Absolutely. Many #immigrant + #refugee workers are in jobs w/ high risk of exposure to #COVID19 – janitorial staff, nurses & home health aides – or are in sectors facing lay-offs. Check out @domesticworkers's emergency fund https://t.co/31998mEgs9 #COVID19impinv https://t.co/UqN5JQKe2d
— Monica Munn (@MonicaKMunn) March 19, 2020
#Immigrant doctors, nurses and care workers at the forefront of #coronavirus response in Europe and the Americas. They must be celebrated 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾@WHO @UNmigration @Refugees @ilo
— Nuur Mohamud Sheekh (@nuurist) March 19, 2020
Have a sewing machine? Save a healthcare worker!!
Pediatrician in Amherst sewing cotton surgical masks, urging others to help https://t.co/DLkP2cdccV— Emotispawn (@Emotispawn) March 19, 2020
They clean the buildings workers are fleeing. But who’s protecting them?
From The New York Times: https://t.co/DEyEB9IMVf
— Hartford Courant (@hartfordcourant) March 19, 2020
