Interviews with two Deaf Smithfield employees

Smithfield Foods, the largest pig and pork producer in the world, closed their facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota after there was an outbreak of COVID-19 infections among their workers.

The Argus Leader reported that almost 600 Smithfield employees tested positive for COVID-19 and that there are at least 135 more people in the local community who became infected from employees. One 64-year-old employee died.

I was able to interview two Deaf employees, one of whom tested positive for COVID-19.

TYLER VANDEBRAKE (Tested positive for COVID-19)

The last day was on April, during the first, no, the second week. On Wednesday, we worked as normal. When I got home from work, I felt something off. I had pain and headaches. I didn’t feel right. I told my wife that I was feeling off. She said I should call the doctor and set up an appointment. I was told to go and take a test. On Thursday morning, I went to the site at 11 in the morning. There was a very long line of cars and I waited. When it was my turn, I went in and got a nasal swab. They told me it would take three to five days for the test results and I said okay. I went home. Later after a call, I found out I was positive for the coronavirus. I was shocked but accepted it. I was given instructions to stay home and take medicine for my fever. I stayed home for a week to focus on myself and stayed in a separate bedroom from my wife. I had really bad headaches for four days. I had to bear it and take medicine.

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JAMES HANSON:

My experience when I went in the facility — I told them to stay six feet apart. I saw many workers, such as at the cafe, they did not wash their hands. They didn’t care about what was important. Now we are seeing a spike in cases. Yes, the facility is closed except for mechanics or shippers. Those who work with the product, nobody is there. I already knew that it would be shut someday with more cases. Because they were not following guidelines on being six feet apart and washing their hands. I knew it would shut down. Stay home and be safe. Thank you.

THE DAILY MOTH:

Thank you Tyler and James for sharing.

The Argus Leader reported that there is a CDC team onsite who is assessing conditions and developing an action plan to reopen the facility.

https://www.argusleader.com/.../smithfield.../5144291002/