There have been seemingly countless outbreaks of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in meatpacking factories around the world.
Now, CNN reports scientists are asking whether the environment inside the plants could be part of the problem.
COVID-19 germs don't 'like' hot, dry, sunny weather. It also needs people to be close together in order to jump from host to host.
Meatpacking plants are just the opposite. They're cold, wet, indoor spaces where people work in close proximity, and have to shout to be heard.
Without fresh air and direct sunlight, the novel coronavirus can linger for hours, or even days.
It can survive for up to three days on plastic and stainless steel surfaces, materials that are common in food processing plants.
Likewise, plants employ workers who share transportation and living spaces, and who work even when sick.
