Supporting food service and preparation workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Supporting food service and preparation workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Author(s):
Gangopadhyaya, Anuj, author
Waxman, Elaine, author
Contributor(s):
Urban Institute, issuing body.
Publication:
Washington, DC : Urban Institute, March 2020
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Food Services
Medically Uninsured
Public Assistance
Unemployment
Coronavirus Infections
Pandemics
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
As the rapidly changing economic impact of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic unfolds, containment efforts are restricting access to places where large numbers of people may congregate. Few occupations have experienced the negative effects of containment more abruptly and dramatically than food service and preparation workers--from waiters and bartenders to dishwashers and cooks--who are already economically disadvantaged by their low earnings and lack of health insurance coverage (Gangopadhyaya, Garrett, and Dorn 2018). Several governors have ordered statewide closures of bars and restaurants to dining-in customers; local authorities have done so in other areas where a statewide moratorium is not yet in place. Though many dine-in restaurants have adapted by offering limited pick-up and delivery service, they are also laying off workers in response to reduced demand. The food service workers able to retain their jobs will likely feel enormous pressure to continue working even if they are worried about exposure, feel ill for other reasons, or are uncertain if their symptoms are related to the virus because the most recent emergency legislation provides only limited coverage for paid leave directly related to COVID-19--and no coverage for health care services beyond coronavirus testing.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-DC license. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (13 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
101772082 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101772082