Merced councilman Martinez criticizes Foster Farms’ handling of COVID-19 outbreak

In this current time there doesn’t seem to be anything we can all agree on, ever. Well, I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a year that has greatly tested our resiliency as a nation, a community and as individuals. Certainly, we see this in our political leaders. Some have risen to the occasion, and many others, in the name of good intention, have ultimately done the opposite.

When it comes to Merced County, regardless of people’s personal politics or stances on the virus, race, or whatever else is currently trending wherever people get their news, I generally try to be understanding of those that think differently from me because they are still my neighbor, and who can live in peace when they fight with their neighbor? Even the actions of locally elected officials in other agencies that have frustrated me or given me angst still don’t cause me to believe that they don’t care about their residents. Because even if they are fighting for small business owners or churches, they are still fighting for residents and their rights. I can respect that principle even if I disagree on the issue.

But what has happened in Livingston at the poultry plant is abhorrent news that I cannot understand. As tragic, appalling and disappointing as the news of their delayed shutdown was, almost equally disheartening were the public words of elected officials in that area regarding its closure — which, to me, simply read as they are pleased that Foster Farms is working with them to make things safer.

I realize Foster Farms is an important business to the area. I realize it’s a vast entity that can’t just shut down in an instant, and I also realize that it has much more money and influence in Merced County than I ever will. However, I also realize that what happened in Livingston was wrong. It hurt us all, and rather than pat them on the back for working with the county, I believe something else should be said:

▪ It is wrong that it took Foster Farms so long to close its facility.

▪ It is wrong that they failed to complete widespread testing in the timely manner requested by the county.

▪ It is wrong that eight people died and nearly 400 people caught the virus before the plant began more intensified operations to shut down.

▪ It is wrong that honest people with small businesses shut down, follow the rules, and struggle to make ends meet while large companies avoid orders and use privilege and influence to extend deadlines and maintain productivity.

▪ It is wrong that our children cannot go to school now because of the increased presence of COVID-19 in Merced County since July, roughly the same time when the Foster Farms outbreak was identified.

▪ It is wrong that workers and their families are burdened with deciding whether it is safe to go back to work without having full confidence that the plant cares first and foremost about their safety.

▪ And, it’s wrong if locally elected officials, in any way, appear to be content, satisfied, or amenable to the way this closure was conducted.

I know expressing these sentiments won’t bring anyone back, won’t reverse time, and may just cause other trouble, but what else do we have right now in Merced County except each other? If we won’t stick up for our own people, our own deceased, who will we stick up for? Those of us who state things such as, “we’re all in this together” or “The only way we’ll get through this is together,” you’re right! Yet, because you’re right, when a large company hurts one of us, they hurt all of us.

And, when they hurt 400 of us, we should all have something to say.

This story was originally published September 13, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Merced councilman Martinez criticizes Foster Farms’ handling of COVID-19 outbreak."