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A factory worker in Southern California explains the importance of this section of the working class and then writes a journal of how the Covid-19 crisis is affecting the workers in that worker’s work place. He describes, in the end, getting sick himself and what happens: "Monday, March 30 We were just informed that the coworker at my factory job whose family member tested positive for COVID-19 last week has also tested positive himself. He has an asymptomatic case. This guy was at work as recently as Tuesday. Meanwhile, I feel like I have a minor cold right now. I don’t feel particularly sick – but I don’t want to spread it if I do have it. I showed up to work, but I told the bossman and went home without starting work. At a meeting held outside in the parking lot to abide by “social distancing” protocol, the Big Boss said that the plant is going to stay open despite all of this. They want to “keep putting product out of the door,” in the words of the boss. There is some grounds to claim that the plant is “essential.” Apparently, the company’s plant in the Southwest – which produces much of the same equipment as the plant where I work – has been shut down for six days after two workers on the assembly line were seen sneezing and coughing on the line last week. Right now, I’m waiting to hear back from a doctor for a video checkup. I’m going to try to get tested for the virus. If I test positive, I’m going to call up the plant and tell them and urge them to shutdown. UPDATE: I just talked to the doctor. They told me that I don’t meet the criteria for being tested. They said that it sounds like I have a common cold – and that, unless the symptoms get worse, I should just plan on taking today and tomorrow off and returning to work on Wednesday. The doctor is giving me a note for my job." https://oaklandsocialist.com/2020/04/01/coronavirus-and-the-factory-one-workers-journal/ -- *“In politics, abstract terms conceal treachery.” *from "The Black Jacobins" by C. L. R. James Check out:https:http://oaklandsocialist.com also on Facebook _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: https://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
