The meat processing industry was hit hard in the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 16,233 meat plant workers across 239 facilities in 23 states contracted the virus, as of May 30. That included 86 deaths.
The outbreak led to updated federal safety guidelines for plant workers and even plant closures. Late in April, President Donald Trump ordered meat processing plants to stay open by classifying them as critical infrastructure.
Last year, the United States produced 105 billion pounds of meat. That's the equivalent of 320 pounds of poultry, pork, and beef for every US resident. Between cattle, pork, and poultry, there was $102 billion worth of American meat sold.
