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On the Line

How the Meatpacking Industry Became a Hotbed of COVID-19

ProPublica investigates how big meat companies pushed to keep their plants running even as their workers, and the communities they lived in, became among the hardest hit by the pandemic — and how the government failed to stop them.

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On the Line

After Hundreds of Meatpacking Workers Died From COVID-19, Congress Wants Answers

A key House subcommittee cited reports by ProPublica and other news outlets in launching an investigation into how the country’s meatpacking companies handled the pandemic, which has killed hundreds of workers to date.

by Bernice Yeung and Michael Grabell,

12 stories published since 2020

The Plot to Keep Meatpacking Plants Open During COVID-19

by Michael Grabell,

How the History of Waterloo, Iowa, Explains How Meatpacking Plants Became Hotbeds of COVID-19

by Bernice Yeung and Michael Grabell,

As COVID-19 Ravaged This Iowa City, Officials Discovered Meatpacking Executives Were the Ones in Charge

by Michael Grabell and Bernice Yeung,

Correos electrónicos muestran que la industria empacadora de carnes redactó el borrador de una orden ejecutiva para que las plantas permanecieran abiertas

por Michael Grabell y Bernice Yeung,

Emails Show the Meatpacking Industry Drafted an Executive Order to Keep Plants Open

by Michael Grabell and Bernice Yeung,

Las empresas empacadoras de carne ignoraron las advertencias durante años, pero ahora dicen que nadie habría podido prepararse para COVID-19

por Michael Grabell y Bernice Yeung,

Meatpacking Companies Dismissed Years of Warnings but Now Say Nobody Could Have Prepared for COVID-19

by Michael Grabell and Bernice Yeung,

They Warned OSHA They Were in “Imminent Danger” at the Meat Plant. Now They’re Suing the Agency.

by Bernice Yeung and Michael Grabell,

Emails Reveal Chaos as Meatpacking Companies Fought Health Agencies Over COVID-19 Outbreaks in Their Plants

by Michael Grabell, Claire Perlman and Bernice Yeung,

What Happened When Health Officials Wanted to Close a Meatpacking Plant, but the Governor Said No

by Michael Grabell,

¿Qué sucedería si se enferman los empleados que cortan las carnes del país?

por Michael Grabell,

What Happens If Workers Cutting Up the Nation’s Meat Get Sick?

by Michael Grabell,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

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