Do you think that all these meat factory outbreaks is an indication that the virus thrives in cold conditions and we will have more difficulty controlling it in the winter?

[Blueberryham]

Sorry if already asked somewhere else

[Buzzfrightyears]

I’m no expert but I think it’s weird it keeps cropping up in animal-meat areas such as the wet market in Wuhan and all the meat factories. Wuhan is warm, yes? Maybe it’s the meat..

[Blueberryham]

Oh - never thought of it like that

[HermioneWeasley]

It does seem to be a temp thing so yes I think you’re right to be concerned

[Buzzfrightyears]

Wuhan is cold in January I’ve just looked. I do think it’s a weird connection to animals/meat though. I don’t want it to turn into a debate but maybe it’s mother nature’s way of warning us about how we farm/slaughter/treat animals bred for consumption.

[StrawberryJam200]

Experts think it's because of the cold and moist helping it thrive, but also the noise meaning that people shout and/or get very close to colleagues in order to be heard. Plus in some countries they are migrant workers who live in cramped conditions on site.

[Frankiemintz]

It might be that the virus is more noticeable as the workers are breathing in cold air into their lungs which can make the symptoms of the virus worse. Workers in other factories may also be catching the virus but have fewer symptoms and therefore not be taking time off from work or being tested.

[Blueberryham]

Ah thanks

[CaptainMerica]

I think the fact that the worst outbreaks started in ski resorts also points in that direction.

[mrbob]

I think a lot of it is that people working in meat packing factories tend to be migrant workers living in over crowded housing and therefore it spreads easily. Another part of the cost of everyone’s conviction they need cheap meat... (or any meat)

And in cold weather people spend more time indoors together in close proximity

[whenwillthemadnessend]

As far as I'm aware the out break was not in the ski resorts in Italy but in the bigger lower altitude towns and city's.

These are within few hours driving distance of the mountains

However brits travelling In And out of Italian airports and road services stations etc brought it back.

[Thistly]

There are lots of food prep factories which have cold temperatures and have kept running through lockdown. It is consistently meat factories which are reported about.

I was wondering if it was related to meat too.

[ComDummings]

Yes it must be to do with the cold/damp

[PastMyBestBeforeDate]

There was some research that said you were more susceptible to colds if you got cold. It was one of those 'old wives tales' that turned out to be vaguely right after all.

[EvilPea]

I think it’s partly to do with reporting - it’s a great headline that so many in one factory have tested positive


Meanwhile there’s some early Awful statistics about the number of supermarket workers who have died.

These key workers had to keep going with little PPE and unavailable testing in the beginning.

[scaevola]

This has been mentioned on other threads, but I don't think it's been a thread in itself before

Cool, damp environments, whether the weather or when it's a huge refrigerator, probably optimise transmission.

There have been papers showing that it becomes a bit less infectious when it is hot and sunny. That presumably reverses when conditions change.

The outbreaks in Germany show that the Rnumber remains high (the virus remains that contagious if unchecked) but that threat to public health can be sharply reduced if outbreaks are spotted swiftly, and local lockdowns used effectively.

Do with think test/track/trave (one of the official 5 tests for easing loskdown) will be ready in time? And that people can still be persuaded to do their civic duty and lockdown when told?

[scaevola]

Just seen your post EvilPea Supermarkets have large refrigerated stores too, don't they?

Could be a common factor?

[Bol87]

We had a outbreak in a meat factory in my local authority last week (Kirklees). So far, it appears to have been handled really well. About 10 workers tested positive & 100+ people were contacted & told to isolate. The factory was shut for deep cleaning & a mobile test centre set up for employees & their families & contacts.. obviously, we’ll see if infections rise in our area over the next couple weeks but the response has at least been v good!

[Clavinova]

Probably a combination of poor working and living conditions, large workforce, reduced or no access to sick pay and benefits (therefore workers with mild symptoms continue to work), plus language barriers; "The man doesn't seem to understand that having his house under quarantine requires him to stay inside."

"The total number of people infected with the coronavirus at a slaughterhouse in northwestern Germany has risen to 1,029, up from over 600 earlier this week, according to officials."

"A quarantine has been ordered for all 6,500 workers, most of whom are from Romania and Bulgaria and who live in cramped company-provided accommodation. More than 3,000 workers have been tested so far."

www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-german-slaughterhouse-outbreak-crosses-1000/a-53883372

"This catastrophe was on the horizon for weeks," ... "many foreign workers live "crammed into moldy dorms and decrepit homes," making it impossible for them to keep a safe distance from each other." ... "the same applies for the "overcrowded buses that are used to shuttle workers to the slaughterhouse."^

www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-modern-slavery-at-the-heart-of-german-slaughterhouse-outbreak/a-53396228

[wheresmyhairytoe]

This whole thing has put me off eating meat again tbh.

Started from a wet market, mutated to humans. Outbreaks in meat factories etc.

Then I watched Contagian and it was spread from a bat to a pig to a human. I'm now veggie, had been toying with the idea for a while but this sealed it!

[LandlockedBlues]

Apparently it's because meat processing plants are very noisy, which forces workers to shout over the noise. Shouting expels more viral particles from the lungs compared to talking. This is combined with other factors such as many people working closely together, and many workers not having access to sick pay so they may work even if symptomatic.

[user1493494961]

The meat packing plant on Anglesey employees local people, not migrant workers.

[FrugiFan]

@LandlockedBlues but wouldnt that be the case in many factories, not specific to meat factories?

[Keepdistance]

Yes i think so.
Agree about the skiiers in italy.

[Clavinova]

The meat packing plant on Anglesey employs local people, not migrant workers.

A combination of both (UK and Romanian employees) according to several recent reviews on an employment site (May). Criticism of management from ex employee - no ppe or social distancing.

[MashedSpud]

It could also be the air conditioning. The same air being pumped around.
I imagine they wouldn’t have open windows (natural ventilation) due to flies and other insects being attracted by the smell.