4/29/2020

Dear DJT,

            What did you have for dinner last night? Did it include some kind of animal protein? I had the “basic plate:” rice, broccoli & black beans w/a few ounces of chorizo for seasoning. It left me feeling nourished & content.

            I’m writing to you about the protein in my dinner because I am troubled by the Executive Order that you signed ‘to ensure that meat and poultry processors continue operations.” First, it makes it look like you were played by JHT. Second, I don’t think it’s necessary. According to an industry expert quoted in the WSJ, “we’ve got plenty of animal protein in the U.S., more than we can consume,” which coincides with what my dad, international commodities trader used to tell me. Second, I am worried about the rights of the workers and it seems that your order absolves the corporations of legal obligations to them. Are you sure you want to alienate the UFCW in that way? Did you know that you did it on Worker Memorial Day, when unions mark the passing of laborers who died due to work related causes???

            I have a couple of ideas that will help you repair this mistake. For the short term, make sure that all of the companies follow JBS’ lead and fix their plants. At their Greeley, CO facility, they put up shields between workstations and lunch tables. They have tents at entry points to check workers for symptoms & make sure they have their masks. They have signs all over the factory to remind folks about social distancing & hand-washing. They don’t really need that last one because sanitation standards at meat processing plants are quite high, thanks to FDA oversight.

            For the long term, you should follow the lead of our local lamb processor, Superior Farms, and turn the company over to the employees. Then they can decide for themselves if it’s safe to work.

            You could also just stay out of it and let the market do its thing. That might lead us all to eat less animal protein. Wouldn’t that be wonderful???

            HYITL,