FA R M
L A B O R
I N F O R M AT I O N
B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
August 2021
FREE
Volume 31, Number 8
WILDFIRES AND DROUGHTS
How to Stay Safe During Wildfire Season
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ast year, we saw the worst wildfires in California’s history—and, by the look of it, we may be in for an equally difficult wildfire season this year. We’ve already seen more wildfires this year than we saw at this same point last year, and wildfire season has yet to peak. • You have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 and you request one. • Wildfire smoke causes the Air Quality Index to reach 151. • You require one for a task, such as spraying pesticides.
airnow.gov, or download the AirNow app to your cell phone. If you have an IPhone, you can also check the weather app for the AQI. To file an anonymous complaint against your employer for failing to comply with air quality regulations, or any other reason, go to: English: www.osha.gov/pls/osha7/eComYour employer must offer a respirator if:
A respirator is made of filtering material that protects you from breathing in small particles from viruses, smoke, and other substances. N95s provide the minimum recommended level of filtration by filtering 95% of particles.
Respirators
For Best Protection
Remove facial hair for best fit
Replace respirator when dirty
Do not share respirators with others
Do not use for more than 8 hours
8h
8h Remove facial hair for best fit
Replace respirator when dirty
Do not share respirators with others
Do not use for more than 8 hours
For Best Protection
In light of this, here are a couple of things for you to remember to keep yourself safe this wildfire season: Check the AQI Index The Air Quality Index (AQI) tells you how safe the air in your area is to breathe. Even if a wildfire is not in your immediate area, it can still affect the AQI by sending harmful particles into the air. These particles can be harmful to your health if you are working outside, especially if you work for long hours. It is ultimately your employer’s responsibility to check the air quality in your area and take precautions if the AQI is above 151, but it still may be helpful to know: n An AQI in the 0-50 range means that the air in your area is mostly free of particles, smoke and smog that could be harmful to your body. An AQI above 101 means that people who are sensitive to poor air quality (for example, a person with asthma) should avoid being outdoors. An AQI above 151 is unhealthy for everybody, and an AQI above 301 is hazardous. n If the AQI in your area is above 151, your employer must take certain precautions to protect you from breathing unhealthy air. These precautions include lowering your exposure to harmful air conditions by providing N-95 face masks, as well as creating a communication system where both you and your employer can notify each other if the air conditions have significantly worsened. n A bandana face covering does not work the same as an N-95 face mask. An N-95 face mask filters out 95% of the harmful particles in the air, while a bandana cannot. n If the air quality you are working in makes you feel sick, you have the right to seek medical treatment without retaliation from your employer. Your employer also cannot retaliate against you for notifying them that the air quality in your area has become unsafe. To check the AQI in your area, go to www.
Respirators A respirator is made of filtering material that protects you from breathing in small particles from viruses, smoke, and other substances. N95s provide the minimum recommended level of filtration by filtering 95% of particles.
Your employer must offer a respirator if: • You have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 and you request one. • Wildfire smoke causes the Air Quality Index to reach 151. • You require one for a task, such as spraying pesticides.
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plaintForm.html Spanish: www.osha.gov/pls/osha7/ecomplaintform_sp.html Check for wildfire shelters There are resources available and places to stay in the event of a wildfire evacuation, regardless of immigration status. The American Red Cross and its partner agencies set up shelters each year for people who have had to evacuate their homes due to an emergency, including a wildfire emergency. The Red Cross’ website has a map where you can put in your city, state or zip code to locate the emergency shelter nearest to you. Currently, there is only one emergency shelter open in California - the Spring of Hope Christian Fellowship Center in Plumas County - but it is likely that more will open up as the peak of wildfire season approaches. You do not have to provide citizenship status in order to stay at one of the Red Cross’ emergency shelters. To locate a wildfire shelter near you, go to the Red Cross’ website: English: www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-reliefand-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter. html Spanish: www.redcross.org/cruz-roja/obtenerayuda/buscar-un-refugio-abierto.html To view Listos California’s Disaster Guide for Farmworkers, go to their website: English: www.listoscalifornia.org/wp-content/ uploads/2021/04/Disaster-Guide-for-Farmworkers-English.pdf Spanish: www.listoscalifornia.org/wp-content/ uploads/2021/04/Disaster-Guide-for-Farmworkers-Spanish.pdf
How to Wear a Respirator
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Pull bottom strap over head and place on lower part of head, below ears.
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Pull top strap over head and place on top of head.
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Press gently on the nose piece.
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Check for air leaks by placing both hands gently on mask and breathing in and out. If the respirator does not sink a little when you breathe in, adjust the straps and the nose piece.
Wednesday 10am
How the drought may affect your paycheck C
ALIFORNIA IS CURRENTLY in the midst of a severe two-year drought. Up and down the state, lakes and reservoirs are running dry, as climate change and a growing population put a strain on California’s water resources. Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a state of emergency in 50 of California’s 58 counties, and also asked that all Californians use 15% less water than usual at this time. You can do this by not letting the water run when you’re washing your hands or brushing your teeth, collecting excess water from the shower to use for watering plants or washing your car, and in general, being aware of how much water you’re using day to day. Many farmers are struggling to keep their crops alive, especially in Central California, where the impacts of the drought have hit the hardest. This may result in less work and less pay for farmworkers, as well as an increase in the cost of produce at local grocery stores. Because of the potential decrease in work available to agricultural workers, farmworkers should be aware of the other opportunities that are available for them to find new work. California’s Employment Development Department (EDD), for example, offers a Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Program, which helps migrant workers to find new jobs, learn labor law and, if necessary, file a complaint against their employer. This program can be found on their website in both English and Spanish, along with links to additional resources such as the Consulate General of Mexico and the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook for Agricultural Workers. The drought is affecting everyone right now. If you find yourself out of work because of it, please visit EDD’s Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Program to find other options: English: edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Migrant_and_Seasonal_Farm_Worker_Outreach_Program.htm Spanish: edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Migrant_and_Seasonal_Farm_Worker_Outreach_Program_ Espanol.htm
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T’S ONLY BEEN ABOUT ONE MONTH since the state reopened and decreased regulations, and California is already seeing a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, specifically the Delta variant. In a previous issue, we discussed that viruses are especially dangerous because they have the ability to mutate and adapt quickly in order to survive. In other words, they become stronger and more resistant to treatment. The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus is a mutation of the original coronavirus and it’s far more transmissible and resistant to hospital treatments. So far, more than 80 percent of new cases in the U.S. are the Delta variant, and between 98 and 99 percent of people dying from COVID-19 are unvaccinated individuals, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and UC Davis Health research. Given these statistics, medical experts and state officials agree that the biggest predictor of COVID-19 spreads and deaths are being unvaccinated. In California, more than half of residents are fully vaccinated, but this number needs to be much higher in order to reach herd immunity and eradicate the virus altogether. As we head into fall and winter, and the weather cools down, the likelihood of spreads worsen given the colder, dry air. The biggest protection that we have against increased infection rates and deaths, and potential state shutdowns is vaccination. Now, children aged 12 years and older can also be vaccinated. It’s important that you get vaccinated if you haven’t already in order to protect yourself, your family and your community. Vaccines are free and available to everyone, regardless of immigration status. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine or to schedule your vaccine appointment, visit the California’s COVID-19 website: English: covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/ Spanish: covid19.ca.gov/es/vaccines/
Rent Relief T
HE STATE OF CALIFORNIA is offering relief to renters and landlords who have been affected by COVID-19, regardless of immigration status. Any California resident can apply for aid to cover 100 percent of “past due and future rent payments” as well as “past due and future utility bills” according to the COVID-19 government website. To apply for rent relief, visit the Housing is Key California government website below, or call the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Contact Center at 833-4302122, open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM: English: housing.ca.gov/covid_rr/index.html *To view this page in Spanish, click the “Language” drop-down menu and select “Spanish”.
Golden State Stimulus Payments H
OUSEHOLDS THAT EARN $75,000 or less per year are eligible for at least one California stimulus payment, and this includes undocumented workers. To qualify, you must file your 2020 tax return by October 15th, 2021. If you’ve already filed your tax return, you don’t have to do anything else. The state will automatically determine your eligibility and send you one or more stimulus payments by direct deposit or a check in the mail. Check to see if you qualify for the stimulus payments using the websites below. Even if you do not qualify for the first payment, you may qualify for the second. 1st Payment: www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/golden-state-stimulus/gss-i.html#Checkif-you-qualify-for-the-Golden-State-Stimulus 2nd Payment: www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/ newsroom/golden-state-stimulus/gss-ii. html#Check-if-you-qualify-for-the-GoldenState-Stimulus-II
Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies www.LaCooperativa.org Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California 1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner. Content produced by ALZA Strategies, a full-service strategy firm that offers pertise into the growing Latino market.