For farmworkers in Washington state, work and daily living were already dangerous and difficult before the coronavirus pandemic. Despite Governor Inslee’s declaration that farmworkers are essential, many large corporate farms are not providing adequate social distancing and sanitizing practices.

Disasters like COVID-19 reveal the inequities in our communities, exposing decades of environmental racism and injustice that have left communities suffering and vulnerable. As we continue to advocate for policies that tackle climate change, clean up toxic pollution, and restore our forests and shared waters, our environmental work must also model what effective equitable community response looks like in a time of crisis.

Email Governor Inslee today and ask that he:

• Ensure all COVID-19 protocols are enforced and being followed by major agriculture companies and farms, including social distancing guidelines, personal protective gear, and providing sick leave.
• Require transparent recruitment and hiring information and housing protections for all farmworkers related to COVID-19.
• Ensure clean operations and equipment for farmworkers.

As our climate changes, we need to be prepared for the worsening effects of pollution. How we respond to this crisis today will be part of the blueprint for the future. We must fight together and ensure all Washington communities are protected no matter who they are or where they live.

Thanks for all you do,

Rebecca Ponzio
Climate and Fossil Fuel Program Director