The water tower at the Smithfield pork plant in Crete. Local officials said the plant would close last week, but production was slowed instead.
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A worker walks by the entrance of the Smithfield Plant in Crete, Nebraska.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The entrance to the Smithfield plant in Crete, Nebraska, has signs in multiple languages regarding the coronavirus. Roughly 50 workers briefly walked out in protest Tuesday after it was announced the plant would stay open during the coronavirus pandemic.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
After about 50 workers at the Smithfield pork plant walked off the job, protest leaders met with plant managers. A union official said the managers seemed sympathetic to workers’ concerns and may trim the production schedule.
Meatpacking workers increasingly falling ill with the coronavirus shouldn’t be asked to risk their health without stronger safety measures in place, Nebraska advocacy groups said Wednesday.
They called on Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and food giants like Tyson and Smithfield to work with them to institute more aggressive measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, which has infiltrated meat and food production plants across the country and in Nebraska, sending coronavirus rates soaring in communities like Grand Island, Lexington, Madison and Crete, and in Dakota County.
Ten new deaths were reported in the Grand Island area Wednesday, bringing the total number who have died from the coronavirus there to 35. And Wednesday night, Tyson Fresh Meats announced that it would temporarily close its Dakota City beef plant over the weekend to sanitize and deep clean, making it the first major meat producer to idle a facility in Nebraska.
“The spread of COVID-19 in meatpacking communities is happening because meat and poultry plants have responded insufficiently to this public health crisis,” said Becky Gould, executive director of Nebraska Appleseed, which organized a conference call with journalists. “We do not have to choose between food production and workers’ safety.”
The actions requested by representatives from groups like Nebraska Appleseed, Heartland Workers Center and the Center for Rural Affairs include spacing out workers on the production line, even if it slows productivity; providing more masks, gloves and other protective equipment; instituting paid sick leave so workers don’t have to choose between staying home and a paycheck; and more third-party inspections of facilities.
Ricketts has refused to blame meatpacking plants for the outbreaks, saying “community issues” also must be addressed, including whether people are following social distancing recommendations outside of work and whether families live in multigenerational homes where it’s more difficult to quarantine.
“They’re probably more likely to pick up an infection outside of the workplace, where they spend two-thirds of their time,” the governor said at his daily coronavirus briefing Wednesday.
Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring meatpacking and food production plants to stay open to prevent disruption to America’s meat and food supply “to the maximum extent possible.” The order relies on the Defense Production Act to classify meat processing as critical infrastructure.
A woman who leads a group called “Children of Smithfield” — the sons and daughters of pork plant workers in Crete — said that at first, workers were provided hair nets to cover their faces. The next day, that decision was overturned, and workers were told to bring in their own masks.
Guidelines seem to be ever-changing, she said, and don’t always square neatly with the precautionary measures that corporate executives say their plants have implemented.
She spoke anonymously, because her father still works at the plant and has tested positive for COVID-19, one of at least 48 workers there with the virus. Asked about the use of hair nets and masks, a Smithfield spokesman sent a link to the company’s COVID-19 response website, which says the company has increased the amount of personal protective equipment provided to workers, among other safety steps.
Plant operators say they have been deep-cleaning plants, installing plastic dividers on the production line and in common areas like cafeterias and urging workers to stay home at the slightest sign of illness.
Wednesday, Tyson announced that it was offering additional bonuses to workers and truckers — $500 in May, and another $500 in July. The company will also expand short-term disability coverage to 90% of pay through the end of June and provide surgical-style masks that workers must wear.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration released interim guidelines last weekend for meat and poultry processing facilities.
The suggestions, which are not enforceable, recommend that plants reconfigure production lines to keep workers 6 feet apart, if possible, check on HVAC and ventilation systems that could be spreading airborne virus particles, encourage workers not to carpool, a common practice, and install more hand-washing or hand-sanitizer stations.
“Workers involved in meat and poultry processing are not exposed to (the coronavirus) through the meat products they handle,” the guidance reads. “However, their work environments — processing lines and other areas in busy plants where they have close contact with co-workers and supervisors — may contribute substantially to their potential exposures.”
Ricketts said Wednesday that the state has given guidance to meatpackers via a “playbook” developed by University of Nebraska Medical Center officials, who are visiting the plants. Some recommendations, he said, go beyond what the CDC and Trump have advised.
He said he has talked to the head of the meatpackers union to gain the input of workers. He also said he has considered a personal visit to meatpacking plants but has tried to “live what I tell everybody else” to do, which is to stay at home and limit trips.
Gould said the plants seem to be the problem, not “community issues.”
“It’s pretty clear, when you look at the map of where outbreaks are happening around the country, that it’s happening where we have meat and poultry processing,” she said. “Other industries have large numbers of immigrant workers and you’re not seeing these outbreaks.”
Amanda Kohler, the executive director of the Refugee Empowerment Center in Omaha, said her organization isn’t placing any refugees in meatpacking jobs unless the organization knows the plants’ COVID-19 prevention protocols and is assured that employees are able to stay 6 feet apart.
Roughly 50 workers at the Crete facility briefly walked off the job Tuesday after Smithfield officials decided that the plant would stay open after all, on a reduced schedule, after announcing on Monday that it would temporarily shut down.
The daughter of the Smithfield worker said that despite the grueling nature of the work — slaughtering animals and cutting and packaging meat — the plant has provided steady employment for many workers and allowed them to send their children to college. Smithfield has given out scholarships.
“Many of our parents have given 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service to the company, proving their loyalty and their continued desire to provide for their families,” she said. “What we ask for in return is responsibility, transparency and protection for our workers and our community.”
Just how many meat processing workers in Nebraska have contracted the coronavirus is unknown. Workers said they often don’t know how many people have tested positive in their plant — a co-worker may be there one day, gone the next.
While some local health departments are releasing data on outbreaks at specific plants, suggesting that at least several hundred workers have tested positive, not all do. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is not tracking those numbers, and several companies have declined to say how many workers are sick at specific plants, citing medical privacy.
Sergio Sosa, executive director of the Heartland Workers Center, said that anecdotally he’s heard that coronavirus cases in South Omaha meatpacking plants are ticking upward.
But “that data is not released or we don’t know,” he said. “The owners of those meatpacking plants should stand up. They should release the data.”
World-Herald staff writer Paul Hammel contributed to this report, which also includes material from the Associated Press.
A pedestrian wears a mask while crossing the Dodge Street bridge on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
Eloise, 11, Neal, 5, and Edie Sutton, 8, and lead a parade with other neighborhood kids around Regency Park in Omaha on Tuesday. The kids wanted to have a parade to thank essential workers during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Edie Sutton, 8,carries a handmade sign while parading with other children around Regency Park in Omaha on Tuesday. The kids wanted to have a parade to thank essential workers during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Andrew Bodlak holds Nyla, a Papillon, while hanging out in a hammock at Elmwood Park in Omaha on Saturday. Omaha parks are open again, with social distancing guidelines still in place, after closing on April 8 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
People bicycle through Elmwood Park in Omaha on Saturday. Omaha parks are open again, with social distancing guidelines still in place, after closing on April 8 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Sisters Kalee Brunner, left, and Tara Bodlak hang out in hammocks together at Elmwood Park in Omaha on Saturday. Omaha parks are open again, with social distancing guidelines still in place, after closing on April 8 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Norhan Basma, from left, Fadia Alcharabi, Basma Basma, Lubna Hussein and Hadeel Basma come together to break the first fast of the month of Ramadan at Hussein's home in Omaha on Friday.
Friends, from left, Ariana Alvarez-Arroyo, Mackenzie Henson and Georgia Brown dance in the road while maintaining social distance due to the novel coronavirus pandemic in Omaha on Friday.
Marcus Butler handles a to-go order Friday at Dante Pizzeria. Many business owners in the Omaha area went into planning mode after Gov. Ricketts announced a series of new directed health measures that will allow restaurants, barbershops, tattoo parlors, salons and massage therapists to reopen on a limited basis.
Workers place food in the trunks of cars in an alley behind the Capitol District in Omaha in late April. Volunteers distributed food to employees of the Capitol District who aren’t working because of the coronavirus.
Peppers sit in a box in an alley behind the Capitol District. Volunteers distributed food to employees of the Capitol District who aren’t working due to the coronavirus.
Jim Bartling in one of his family’s hog barns in Unadilla, Nebraska, on Wednesday. “The problem with being a hog farmer is that I just can’t shut the door and lock it like store owners,” Bartling said. “This is a wound and there is no way to stop the bleeding.”
Jim Bartling walks back toward his home after making rounds on his hog farm Wednesday in Unadilla, Nebraska. "I saw this coming all the way back when it was in Wuhan. If what was happening was enough to make them shut down so much, I knew it was coming our way," he said.
Jim Bartling in the farrowing facility on the Bartling Brothers’ farm. “It is only going to get worse if things keep going the way they are going,” he said.
TVs are on as people donate blood at DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar at Miracle Hills in Omaha on Tuesday. While the restaurant and bar is closed during the novel coronavirus pandemic, the space was used for a Red Cross donation site.
Dick Lerner has his blood drawn at DJ's Dugout Sports Bar at Miracle Hills in Omaha on Tuesday. While the restaurant and bar is closed during the novel coronavirus pandemic, the space was used for a Red Cross donation site.
A woman takes a photo of the bright but empty stadium at Papillion-La Vista South. Schools across Nebraska have turned on their stadium lights at 20:20 to honor the class of 2020 that will not be able to have prom or graduations.
Ella Pelletier and Matt Jones, both Papillion-La Vista South seniors, watch as the school’s stadium is lit up as part of the “Be the Light” campaign on Wednesday. Schools across Nebraska have turned on their stadium lights at 20:20 to honor the class of 2020 that will not be able to have prom or graduations.
Fireworks erupt during a drive-in fireworks show at Werner Park on Saturday, April 18. The park would have hosted a minor league baseball game that day, but the start of the season has been postponed because of the coronavirus. Thousands watched the fireworks from the stadium's parking lots and surrounding areas.
People watch fireworks during a drive-in fireworks show at Werner Park on Saturday, April 18. The park would have hosted a minor league baseball game that day, but the start of the season has been postponed because of the coronavirus. Thousands watched the fireworks from the stadium's parking lots and surrounding areas.
Snow falls at a drive-up mobile food pantry run by the Food Bank off the Heartland and Millard Public Schools in Millard on Thursday. The mobile pantry more than doubled the number of packages of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, potatoes and pantry staples they normally give out each month in anticipation of increased need due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Snow falls at a drive-up mobile food pantry run by the Food Bank off the Heartland and Millard Public Schools in Millard on Thursday. The mobile pantry more than doubled the number of packages of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, potatoes and pantry staples they normally give out each month in anticipation of increased need due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Terri Connell loads a vehicle at a drive-up mobile food pantry run by the Food Bank off the Heartland and Millard Public Schools as snow falls in Millard on Thursday. The mobile pantry more than doubled the number of packages of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, potatoes and pantry staples they normally give out each month in anticipation of increased need due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
An image of Jesus is reflected in a puddle during an Easter service at King of Kings Church on Sunday in Omaha. The church installed a large screen in the parking lot to enable drive-up and park services.
Astrid Mitchell, right, and her mother, Katie Mitchell, observe the drive-thru stations Good Friday event at the Prairie Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast on Friday in Walton, Nebraska.
Hank, a Labrador retriever, does not respect social distancing and gives Morgan Henderson, the owner of Dirty Doodles, a kiss while being groomed at Dirty Doodles in Omaha. The dog grooming service has moved work stations outside so employees can remain six feet apart during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Handwritten notes for customers at Nite Owl in Omaha on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Nite Owl has been writing personal notes to customers and offering specials, like the Social Distance Daiquiri, while offering curbside take-out as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues.
Karna Gurung answers a text on his phone at his store located at 822 N 40th Street on Thursday, April 02, 2020. Gurung is translating important information about coronavirus for non english speaking members of his community.
Rita Otis leads an outdoor Tai Chi class on a grass island at Glenwood Road and Sunset Trail on Wednesday, April 01, 2020. Participants had to maintain a distance of six feet due to coronavirus social distancing measures.
Rita Otis leads an outdoor Tai Chi class on a grass island at Glenwood Road and Sunset Trail on Wednesday, April 01, 2020. Participants had to maintain a distance of six feet due to coronavirus social distancing measures.
The Easter Bunny waves to families as they drive by at the Hy-Vee near 144th and Stony Brook Blvd. in Omaha on Saturday, April 4, 2020. The grocery store usually hosts an Easter egg hunt, but went with a drive-thru Easter Bunny visit this year to encourage social distancing in response to the novel coronavirus.
A ball field is seen through a chainlink fence, at Lee Valley Park in Omaha on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Playgrounds and athletic fields are closed in all Omaha parks.
About 100 people line up outside Brickway Brewery & Distillery in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020. The Old Market business was giving away free hand sanitizer on tap to anyone who brings their own bottle of 64 ounces or less.
Don Rupp wears a face mask made by his wife while waiting in line outside Brickway Brewery & Distillery in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020. The Old Market business was giving away free hand sanitizer on tap to anyone who brings their own bottle of 64 ounces or less.
Streets in downtown Grand Island are mostly empty. In Hall County, 35.5% of tests for the coronavirus have come back positive, compared to the 7.65% positive rate statewide.
Playground equipment is seen wrapped in caution tape at Pier Park on April 6 in Grand Island. Playgrounds are closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Russell Hatt smokes a cigarette outside of Fonner Park on April 6 in Grand Island. "I'm a widower, so this is what I do to stay busy. I bet on horses and play Texas Hold 'Em."
Rabbi Daniel Blotner puts together Seder-To-Go kits at Chabad House in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020. The Seder is a ritual dinner to mark the beginning of Passover, which began on April 8. The free kits and were available for delivery for anyone who is homebound during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
From left, Carol Ann Hixson, Terri Rohmeyer and Carol Carol Coffey wave and blow kisses to a family member from outside the Douglas County Health Center in Omaha on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
A woman walks a dog as the sun sets on Elmwood Park in Omaha on Wednesday, April 08, 2020. Omaha has closed all city parks until April 30 to combat COVID-19. The trail system will remain open, but parking lots at trail heads are closed. People must walk or bike in.
Walking is still allowed at West Papio Trail. Omaha closed all city parks through April 30 to combat COVID-19. While trails and sidewalks remain open, everything else in the parks is closed. Groups larger than 10 people are prohibited, and people must keep a physical distance of 6 feet or more.
Kennedy Cascio has decorated her home's front door with a symbol for medicine and hearts. Cascio is an intensive care unit nurse at the Bellevue Medical Center and created the display to "show that I am thankful for everyone working on the frontlines," as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues. Photographed in Omaha on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
A message is left along a fence at Lewis and Calrk Middle School in Omaha on Thursday, April 09, 2020. Omaha Public Schools have been closed since mid-March, with remote learning for all students, as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues.
A parade of families from Carson Wealth drives by Esprit Whispering Ridge Retirement and Assisted Living Facility in Omaha on Thursday, April 30, 2020. The wealth management company also hosted a canned food drive before heading over to the senior home for their 'positivity parade'.
A parade of families from Carson Wealth drives by Esprit Whispering Ridge Retirement and Assisted Living Facility in Omaha on Thursday, April 30, 2020. The wealth management company also hosted a canned food drive before heading over to the senior home for their 'positivity parade'.
Mary Alice Pfeifer, 85, watches a parade of families from Carson Wealth drives by Esprit Whispering Ridge Retirement and Assisted Living Facility in Omaha on Thursday, April 30, 2020. The wealth management company also hosted a canned food drive before heading over to the senior home for their 'positivity parade'.
A pedestrian wears a mask while crossing the Dodge Street bridge on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Eloise, 11, Neal, 5, and Edie Sutton, 8, and lead a parade with other neighborhood kids around Regency Park in Omaha on Tuesday. The kids wanted to have a parade to thank essential workers during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Edie Sutton, 8,carries a handmade sign while parading with other children around Regency Park in Omaha on Tuesday. The kids wanted to have a parade to thank essential workers during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A duck swims across the Candlewood Reservoir in Omaha on Friday.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Andrew Bodlak holds Nyla, a Papillon, while hanging out in a hammock at Elmwood Park in Omaha on Saturday. Omaha parks are open again, with social distancing guidelines still in place, after closing on April 8 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
People bicycle through Elmwood Park in Omaha on Saturday. Omaha parks are open again, with social distancing guidelines still in place, after closing on April 8 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sisters Kalee Brunner, left, and Tara Bodlak hang out in hammocks together at Elmwood Park in Omaha on Saturday. Omaha parks are open again, with social distancing guidelines still in place, after closing on April 8 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Lubna Hussein prays before breaking the first fast of the month of Ramadan at her home in Omaha on Friday.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
The sun sets as as families come together to break the first fast of the month of Ramadan at the home of Hesham Basma in Omaha on Friday.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Norhan Basma, from left, Fadia Alcharabi, Basma Basma, Lubna Hussein and Hadeel Basma come together to break the first fast of the month of Ramadan at Hussein's home in Omaha on Friday.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Friends, from left, Ariana Alvarez-Arroyo, Mackenzie Henson and Georgia Brown dance in the road while maintaining social distance due to the novel coronavirus pandemic in Omaha on Friday.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Marcus Butler handles a to-go order Friday at Dante Pizzeria. Many business owners in the Omaha area went into planning mode after Gov. Ricketts announced a series of new directed health measures that will allow restaurants, barbershops, tattoo parlors, salons and massage therapists to reopen on a limited basis.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The dining room space at Dante was converted to help with the take-out only service.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Workers place food in the trunks of cars in an alley behind the Capitol District in Omaha in late April. Volunteers distributed food to employees of the Capitol District who aren’t working because of the coronavirus.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Peppers sit in a box in an alley behind the Capitol District. Volunteers distributed food to employees of the Capitol District who aren’t working due to the coronavirus.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jim Bartling in one of his family’s hog barns in Unadilla, Nebraska, on Wednesday. “The problem with being a hog farmer is that I just can’t shut the door and lock it like store owners,” Bartling said. “This is a wound and there is no way to stop the bleeding.”
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jim Bartling walks back toward his home after making rounds on his hog farm Wednesday in Unadilla, Nebraska. "I saw this coming all the way back when it was in Wuhan. If what was happening was enough to make them shut down so much, I knew it was coming our way," he said.
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jim Bartling in the farrowing facility on the Bartling Brothers’ farm. “It is only going to get worse if things keep going the way they are going,” he said.
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
Handmade signs to support essential workers during the novel coronavirus pandemic outside a home in Omaha on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A chalk rainbow hot air ballon rises up a home's front porch steps in Omaha on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
TVs are on as people donate blood at DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar at Miracle Hills in Omaha on Tuesday. While the restaurant and bar is closed during the novel coronavirus pandemic, the space was used for a Red Cross donation site.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dick Lerner has his blood drawn at DJ's Dugout Sports Bar at Miracle Hills in Omaha on Tuesday. While the restaurant and bar is closed during the novel coronavirus pandemic, the space was used for a Red Cross donation site.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A woman takes a photo of the bright but empty stadium at Papillion-La Vista South. Schools across Nebraska have turned on their stadium lights at 20:20 to honor the class of 2020 that will not be able to have prom or graduations.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Ella Pelletier and Matt Jones, both Papillion-La Vista South seniors, watch as the school’s stadium is lit up as part of the “Be the Light” campaign on Wednesday. Schools across Nebraska have turned on their stadium lights at 20:20 to honor the class of 2020 that will not be able to have prom or graduations.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A message of encouragement is painted on the fence of a home in Grand Island, which got some better news on Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
A message is written on a home's window on Friday in Grand Island.
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
A quarantine snowman wears a cloth mask and holds a toilet paper on Friday in Grand Island.
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
Fireworks erupt during a drive-in fireworks show at Werner Park on Saturday, April 18. The park would have hosted a minor league baseball game that day, but the start of the season has been postponed because of the coronavirus. Thousands watched the fireworks from the stadium's parking lots and surrounding areas.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
People watch fireworks during a drive-in fireworks show at Werner Park on Saturday, April 18. The park would have hosted a minor league baseball game that day, but the start of the season has been postponed because of the coronavirus. Thousands watched the fireworks from the stadium's parking lots and surrounding areas.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Snow falls at a drive-up mobile food pantry run by the Food Bank off the Heartland and Millard Public Schools in Millard on Thursday. The mobile pantry more than doubled the number of packages of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, potatoes and pantry staples they normally give out each month in anticipation of increased need due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Snow falls at a drive-up mobile food pantry run by the Food Bank off the Heartland and Millard Public Schools in Millard on Thursday. The mobile pantry more than doubled the number of packages of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, potatoes and pantry staples they normally give out each month in anticipation of increased need due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Terri Connell loads a vehicle at a drive-up mobile food pantry run by the Food Bank off the Heartland and Millard Public Schools as snow falls in Millard on Thursday. The mobile pantry more than doubled the number of packages of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, potatoes and pantry staples they normally give out each month in anticipation of increased need due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A message of good health hangs from a home’s front porch in Omaha on Thursday, April 16, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A window message shows form a home in Omaha on Thursday, April 16, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
An image of Jesus is reflected in a puddle during an Easter service at King of Kings Church on Sunday in Omaha. The church installed a large screen in the parking lot to enable drive-up and park services.
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
A home displays a message in a front window in Omaha on Friday, April 10.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Astrid Mitchell, right, and her mother, Katie Mitchell, observe the drive-thru stations Good Friday event at the Prairie Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast on Friday in Walton, Nebraska.
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
Hank, a Labrador retriever, does not respect social distancing and gives Morgan Henderson, the owner of Dirty Doodles, a kiss while being groomed at Dirty Doodles in Omaha. The dog grooming service has moved work stations outside so employees can remain six feet apart during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A message written in chalk on a wall along Martha Street in Omaha on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Traffic is sparse at time on Interstate 80 through Omaha as people are encouraged to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Handwritten notes for customers at Nite Owl in Omaha on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Nite Owl has been writing personal notes to customers and offering specials, like the Social Distance Daiquiri, while offering curbside take-out as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Karna Gurung answers a text on his phone at his store located at 822 N 40th Street on Thursday, April 02, 2020. Gurung is translating important information about coronavirus for non english speaking members of his community.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rita Otis leads an outdoor Tai Chi class on a grass island at Glenwood Road and Sunset Trail on Wednesday, April 01, 2020. Participants had to maintain a distance of six feet due to coronavirus social distancing measures.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rita Otis leads an outdoor Tai Chi class on a grass island at Glenwood Road and Sunset Trail on Wednesday, April 01, 2020. Participants had to maintain a distance of six feet due to coronavirus social distancing measures.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Easter Bunny waves to families as they drive by at the Hy-Vee near 144th and Stony Brook Blvd. in Omaha on Saturday, April 4, 2020. The grocery store usually hosts an Easter egg hunt, but went with a drive-thru Easter Bunny visit this year to encourage social distancing in response to the novel coronavirus.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
This sign was installed at Zorinsky Lake Park in Omaha on April 4. The mayor later closed all city parks.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A ball field is seen through a chainlink fence, at Lee Valley Park in Omaha on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Playgrounds and athletic fields are closed in all Omaha parks.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A ball field sets empty at Prairie Lane Park in Omaha on Saturday, April 04, 2020. Playgrounds and athletic fields are closed in all Omaha parks.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A Washington Elementary School sign reads 'Nebraska Strong' on Thursday, April 02, 2020, in Fremont, Nebraska.
KENNETH FERRIERA/ THE WORLD-HERA
About 100 people line up outside Brickway Brewery & Distillery in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020. The Old Market business was giving away free hand sanitizer on tap to anyone who brings their own bottle of 64 ounces or less.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Don Rupp wears a face mask made by his wife while waiting in line outside Brickway Brewery & Distillery in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020. The Old Market business was giving away free hand sanitizer on tap to anyone who brings their own bottle of 64 ounces or less.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Streets in downtown Grand Island are mostly empty. In Hall County, 35.5% of tests for the coronavirus have come back positive, compared to the 7.65% positive rate statewide.
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
Playground equipment is seen wrapped in caution tape at Pier Park on April 6 in Grand Island. Playgrounds are closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
Russell Hatt smokes a cigarette outside of Fonner Park on April 6 in Grand Island. "I'm a widower, so this is what I do to stay busy. I bet on horses and play Texas Hold 'Em."
KENNETH FERRIERA/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Kroc Center is illuminated as a symbol of hope in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rabbi Daniel Blotner puts together Seder-To-Go kits at Chabad House in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020. The Seder is a ritual dinner to mark the beginning of Passover, which began on April 8. The free kits and were available for delivery for anyone who is homebound during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Leah Hanson and others visit their grandmother from outside the Douglas County Health Center in Omaha on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
From left, Carol Ann Hixson, Terri Rohmeyer and Carol Carol Coffey wave and blow kisses to a family member from outside the Douglas County Health Center in Omaha on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A woman walks a dog as the sun sets on Elmwood Park in Omaha on Wednesday, April 08, 2020. Omaha has closed all city parks until April 30 to combat COVID-19. The trail system will remain open, but parking lots at trail heads are closed. People must walk or bike in.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Walking is still allowed at West Papio Trail. Omaha closed all city parks through April 30 to combat COVID-19. While trails and sidewalks remain open, everything else in the parks is closed. Groups larger than 10 people are prohibited, and people must keep a physical distance of 6 feet or more.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Kennedy Cascio has decorated her home's front door with a symbol for medicine and hearts. Cascio is an intensive care unit nurse at the Bellevue Medical Center and created the display to "show that I am thankful for everyone working on the frontlines," as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues. Photographed in Omaha on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A message is left along a fence at Lewis and Calrk Middle School in Omaha on Thursday, April 09, 2020. Omaha Public Schools have been closed since mid-March, with remote learning for all students, as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Traffic signs on Dodge Street, near 168th, display self quarantine guideline suggestions on Monday, April 06, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
A sparrow sit in its nest in the letter "g" in Walgreens sign at 5038 Center Street on Friday, April 10, 2020.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
A parade of families from Carson Wealth drives by Esprit Whispering Ridge Retirement and Assisted Living Facility in Omaha on Thursday, April 30, 2020. The wealth management company also hosted a canned food drive before heading over to the senior home for their 'positivity parade'.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A parade of families from Carson Wealth drives by Esprit Whispering Ridge Retirement and Assisted Living Facility in Omaha on Thursday, April 30, 2020. The wealth management company also hosted a canned food drive before heading over to the senior home for their 'positivity parade'.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Mary Alice Pfeifer, 85, watches a parade of families from Carson Wealth drives by Esprit Whispering Ridge Retirement and Assisted Living Facility in Omaha on Thursday, April 30, 2020. The wealth management company also hosted a canned food drive before heading over to the senior home for their 'positivity parade'.
The entrance to the Smithfield plant in Crete, Nebraska, has signs in multiple languages regarding the coronavirus. Roughly 50 workers briefly walked out in protest Tuesday after it was announced the plant would stay open during the coronavirus pandemic.
After about 50 workers at the Smithfield pork plant walked off the job, protest leaders met with plant managers. A union official said the managers seemed sympathetic to workers’ concerns and may trim the production schedule.