Coronavirus Takes Toll On Poultry Workers In North Georgia, Threatens Industry’s Well-Being

Hall County, which is a hub for Georgia’s multibillion-dollar poultry industry, has the highest per capita rate of COVID-19 cases in North Georgia. State officials say the industry is adjusting to protect its workers, most of whom are Latinos. But the delay in responding has exacerbated an outbreak among Latino families and threatened the industry in state.

A small yellow school bus drives through Hall County dropping off lunches to students from low-income families who are out of class because of the coronavirus.

Epidemiologist Jodie Guest follows behind in a car, getting out at every stop.

“Do you need masks? How many?” she asks the families in Spanish.