coronavirus workers | CalMatters

A housekeeper cleans a room at the Colonial Motel in Santa Maria on July 15, 2020. The motel is one of the locations where Alco Harvesting houses H-2A farmworkers. Photo by Len Wood, Santa Maria Times

Strawberry-producing Santa Barbara County announces new COVID-19 protections for temporary ag workers

by Jackie Botts September 17, 2020September 18, 2020

Santa Barbara County adopts new rules aimed at preventing COVID-19 outbreaks among H-2A farmworkers. The move comes amid reports of outbreaks, including a monthlong investigation by CalMatters and The Salinas Californian that uncovered outbreaks that sickened more than 350.

A man reaches for his food at the McDonalds drive-thru window. Image via iStock

Workers demand McDonald’s to provide better working conditions

by Jacqueline Garcia September 17, 2020September 18, 2020

California farmworkers say they didn’t get masks during wildfires

by Manuela Tobias September 13, 2020September 11, 2020

CalMatters investigation, COVID cases spur bill requiring employers disclose workplace outbreaks

by Kate Cimini September 12, 2020September 14, 2020

Vehicles including Foster Farms trucks enter and exit the facility located at 1000 Davis Street in Livingston, on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020. Photo by Andrew Kuhn, The Merced Sun Star

Foster Farms shut down California facility over COVID-19. So why doesn’t it look closed?

by Manuela Tobias September 2, 2020September 2, 2020

Luis Hoang, owner of Luis Hair Salon, gives Christopher Jimenez a trim in San Jose on Aug. 14, 2020. Hoang, who was able to reopen his salon outdoors, says the arrangement is “uncomfortable” but he has no other choice. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Indoor haircuts are back as California tries reopening again

by Lauren Hepler August 28, 2020August 28, 2020

A sign encouraging vineyard workers to practice social distancing is posted among the grapevines on May 6, 2020 in Oakville. Napa County does not collect data on workplace coronavirus outbreaks. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for

Why won’t counties report workplace COVID outbreaks to the public?

by Jackie Botts, Laurence Du Sault and Manuela Tobias August 28, 2020September 3, 2020

Farmworkers around the Watsonville community pick strawberries as the Watsonville Campesino Appreciation Caravan passes through on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. Today, Gov. Newsom announced a new housing program for farmworkers that will provide hotel rooms for those who need to isolate due to COVID-19. Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

Newsom signals more protections coming for essential workers, including hotel rooms for farmworkers

by Barbara Feder Ostrov July 24, 2020July 29, 2020

Food security, ability to pay rent and loss of low-wage jobs are three areas where economic disparities in California are most visible amid the coronavirus pandemic. Photos by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

How COVID is deepening California’s income inequality in 5 charts

by Jackie Botts July 20, 2020September 16, 2020

Coronavirus outbreak at Fresno-area company has critics calling for more transparency

by Manuela Tobias July 14, 2020September 16, 2020