LOGANSPORT — Changes are happening at Tyson meat plants across the country, including in Logansport, after thousands of coronavirus cases have been traced back to the company.
The plant shut down for almost two weeks after hundreds of workers tested positive for COVID-19. The outbreak delayed reopening stages in Cass County after 1,500 people tested positive for the virus.
This makes the county one of the top counties in the county with the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.
Tyson is now checking temperatures of employees, sanitizing break rooms, and conducting on-site medical screenings at the Logansport plant to help stop the spread of the virus.
"We are not afraid to slow down plants or even idle plants if it means keeping our team members safe," said Hector Gonzalez, Tyson's senior vice president of human resources.
Despite the safety measures in place, some employees don't feel comfortable going back to work yet.
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Gary Whitehouse says he isn't the only one who isn't comfortable going back yet.
"There are so many people that are saying they're not going to go back to work because they don't feel safe going there," Whitehouse said.
Gonzalez says safety is Tyson's top priority.
"It comes first before we run any ounce of meat through any of our facilities," Gonzalez said.
Employees are encouraged to continue being as safe as possible even when they aren't at work.
"We've furnished face coverings for team members and for their families and have continued to offer face coverings to team members as they leave work," Gonzalez said.
