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In Wine Country, coronavirus cases rise in crampedIn Wine Country, coronavirus cases rise in crampedfarmworker housingfarmworker housing

Danielle EcheverriaDanielle EcheverriaJuly , July , Updated: July , : a.m.Updated: July , : a.m.

As Eppie Ordaz, a grape grower in Sonoma County, readies his vineyard for the lateAs Eppie Ordaz, a grape grower in Sonoma County, readies his vineyard for the late

August harvest season, he is stocking masks and gloves for August harvest season, he is stocking masks and gloves for employees, planning emptyemployees, planning empty

rows to allow workers to keep their distance, and putting extra disinfectants androws to allow workers to keep their distance, and putting extra disinfectants and

sanitation stations into place. The changes are new, but having to change isn’t, he says.sanitation stations into place. The changes are new, but having to change isn’t, he says.

“Every harvest there are some crazy changes, adjustments and events, so I think we are“Every harvest there are some crazy changes, adjustments and events, so I think we are

pretty well prepared for anything,” he said. “There’s always something Mother Nature ispretty well prepared for anything,” he said. “There’s always something Mother Nature is

Palo Alto Vineyard Management workers keep their distance as they clear leaves on vines in Glen Ellen on  Tuesday.Palo Alto Vineyard Management workers keep their distance as they clear leaves on vines in Glen Ellen on  Tuesday.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The ChroniclePhoto: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

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that there have been “at least 60” cases among people working in Wine Country. Solanothat there have been “at least 60” cases among people working in Wine Country. Solano

officials did not respond to requests for comment.officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Many farmworkers who don’t live in housing centers still tend to pack lots of people intoMany farmworkers who don’t live in housing centers still tend to pack lots of people into

one home to make living more affordable, Ordaz said.one home to make living more affordable, Ordaz said.

Sonoma County was added to the state monitoring list amid rising case rates among theSonoma County was added to the state monitoring list amid rising case rates among the

Latino community “due to exposure of essential workers, household clusters, increasingLatino community “due to exposure of essential workers, household clusters, increasing

workplace and community transmission with the state’s reopening, and large socialworkplace and community transmission with the state’s reopening, and large social

gatherings,” according to the state.gatherings,” according to the state.

In Sonoma County, 65% of positive cases are in the Latino community, a county officialIn Sonoma County, 65% of positive cases are in the Latino community, a county official

said at a July 9 Board of Supervisors meeting. Almost 20% of people in the Latinosaid at a July 9 Board of Supervisors meeting. Almost 20% of people in the Latino

community who tested positive worked in agriculture, more than any other employmentcommunity who tested positive worked in agriculture, more than any other employment

sector.sector.

Grapegrowers are working to make their elds safe from coronavirus infection, but are also concerned about theGrapegrowers are working to make their elds safe from coronavirus infection, but are also concerned about thedangers to workers from housing and transportation.dangers to workers from housing and transportation.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The ChroniclePhoto: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

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However, Sonoma County Health Director Sundari Mase said that workplaceHowever, Sonoma County Health Director Sundari Mase said that workplace

transmissions account for less than 10% of cases, and most are tied transmissions account for less than 10% of cases, and most are tied to family andto family and

community spread.community spread.

Many growers in the region like Ordaz feel confident in their ability to keep workers safe.Many growers in the region like Ordaz feel confident in their ability to keep workers safe.

The months between the onset of the pandemic and the beginning of harvest hasThe months between the onset of the pandemic and the beginning of harvest has

educated them on how the virus spreads and given them time to buy enough masks,educated them on how the virus spreads and given them time to buy enough masks,

gloves and disinfectants for gloves and disinfectants for their employees.their employees.

Many say that a vineyard is the ideal place to be physically distant. Long Meadow RanchMany say that a vineyard is the ideal place to be physically distant. Long Meadow Ranch

in Napa County put up a sign showing that workers should stay three vines apart, ain Napa County put up a sign showing that workers should stay three vines apart, a

distance of 8 feet. Some growers plan to run two shifts instead of one, having fewerdistance of 8 feet. Some growers plan to run two shifts instead of one, having fewer

workers in the vineyard at once. Growers are having daily discussions with their crewsworkers in the vineyard at once. Growers are having daily discussions with their crews

about the latest public health updates and safety measures.about the latest public health updates and safety measures.

Grape grower Eppie Ordaz (left) works beside Chuy Ordaz of Palo Alto Vineyard Management to clear leaves on theGrape grower Eppie Ordaz (left) works beside Chuy Ordaz of Palo Alto Vineyard Management to clear leaves on thevines.vines.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The ChroniclePhoto: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

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“We feel so good about employees coming to work and getting information,” said“We feel so good about employees coming to work and getting information,” said

Jennifer Putnam, executive director of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Association. “So IJennifer Putnam, executive director of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Association. “So I

think the safest place to be right now is in the vineyard.”think the safest place to be right now is in the vineyard.”

Farmers and county officials both point to the kinds of housing centers where cases haveFarmers and county officials both point to the kinds of housing centers where cases have

been cropping up as one of their biggest worries. Health experts have said the risk ofbeen cropping up as one of their biggest worries. Health experts have said the risk of

infection is higher indoors infection is higher indoors than outdoors.than outdoors.

“Farmworker centers here in Napa, like all congregate living environments, are at higher“Farmworker centers here in Napa, like all congregate living environments, are at higher

risk because of the density of people coming and going and living together,” Putnamrisk because of the density of people coming and going and living together,” Putnam

said.said.

Ana Lugo, founder of Equity First Consulting, stressed that it was imperative thatAna Lugo, founder of Equity First Consulting, stressed that it was imperative that

government officials and agricultural employers government officials and agricultural employers address the structural issues that causeaddress the structural issues that cause

crowded living conditions in the first place — low wages and high living costs.crowded living conditions in the first place — low wages and high living costs.

“We do not place the responsibility on the people with less power and privilege to be the“We do not place the responsibility on the people with less power and privilege to be the

ones to fix the issue,” she said. “You have the private sector — individual employers —ones to fix the issue,” she said. “You have the private sector — individual employers —

and then you have the government, and so it is really on both of those groups to figureand then you have the government, and so it is really on both of those groups to figure

out how to work together and leverage resources to be able to address some of thoseout how to work together and leverage resources to be able to address some of those

issues.”issues.”

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Ordaz agreed that much of the problem is systemic, and he doesn’t see the problemOrdaz agreed that much of the problem is systemic, and he doesn’t see the problem

letting up any time soon, especially with “outrageous” Bay Area housing costs that leadletting up any time soon, especially with “outrageous” Bay Area housing costs that lead

to not only crowded housing, but crowded carpools.to not only crowded housing, but crowded carpools.

“When you’re on the vineyard, it’s pretty easy to scatter employees around,” he said.“When you’re on the vineyard, it’s pretty easy to scatter employees around,” he said.

“What is often overlooked is the fact that no matter what we do, most of the workforce“What is often overlooked is the fact that no matter what we do, most of the workforce

carpools to work, and that’s common among all agricultural workers.”carpools to work, and that’s common among all agricultural workers.”

Philip Martin, a professor of agricultural and resource economics at UC Davis, said thatPhilip Martin, a professor of agricultural and resource economics at UC Davis, said that

because labor markets for farmworkers have been tight in recent years, vineyard work inbecause labor markets for farmworkers have been tight in recent years, vineyard work in

Wine Country pays relatively well compared to similar work in the Central Valley.Wine Country pays relatively well compared to similar work in the Central Valley.

Because of this, many workers tend to commute, often in family groups, from areas thatBecause of this, many workers tend to commute, often in family groups, from areas that

have more affordable housing.have more affordable housing.

“There’s high housing costs in Napa, there’s no two ways about it,” he said. “A lot of“There’s high housing costs in Napa, there’s no two ways about it,” he said. “A lot of

people can’t afford to live there, and so you get a lot of commuting in.”people can’t afford to live there, and so you get a lot of commuting in.”

Jaime Flores Ordaz of Palo Alto Vineyard Management works in a Glen Ellen vineyard.Jaime Flores Ordaz of Palo Alto Vineyard Management works in a Glen Ellen vineyard.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The ChroniclePhoto: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

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But farming experts say the solution isn’t as simple as raising wages. Daniel Sumner,But farming experts say the solution isn’t as simple as raising wages. Daniel Sumner,

director of the UC Agricultural Issues Center, said higher wages raises the cost ofdirector of the UC Agricultural Issues Center, said higher wages raises the cost of

production, but many consumers do not want to see higher food costs as a result.production, but many consumers do not want to see higher food costs as a result.

“Every farmer would like to pay more if they could, but they haven’t figured out a way to“Every farmer would like to pay more if they could, but they haven’t figured out a way to

stay in business doing that,” he said.stay in business doing that,” he said.

Lugo of Equity First Consulting said the Latino community also lacks information aboutLugo of Equity First Consulting said the Latino community also lacks information about

what to do when they are sick, and some are hesitant to be tested.what to do when they are sick, and some are hesitant to be tested.

“Many people didn’t want to get tested because they were afraid that if they got tested,“Many people didn’t want to get tested because they were afraid that if they got tested,

they were going to be forced to isolate. And if you isolate, you can’t go to work. So thenthey were going to be forced to isolate. And if you isolate, you can’t go to work. So then

how do you make money for your family?” she said. “It’s all interconnected.”how do you make money for your family?” she said. “It’s all interconnected.”

Farmers and government officials are increasing outreach to workers, which they hopeFarmers and government officials are increasing outreach to workers, which they hope

will alleviate some of the fear around the virus.will alleviate some of the fear around the virus.

In Sonoma County, officials have created a Latino community health working group,In Sonoma County, officials have created a Latino community health working group,

which Lugo said is focusing on sharing information on the virus in a way that fits withwhich Lugo said is focusing on sharing information on the virus in a way that fits with

farmworker culture.farmworker culture.

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The state recommended that Napa and Solano counties also focus on education as aThe state recommended that Napa and Solano counties also focus on education as a

means of preventing the spread of the virus.means of preventing the spread of the virus.

The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation created a coronavirus task force at the end ofThe Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation created a coronavirus task force at the end of

June. The group focuses on outreach to farmworker communities to “bridge theJune. The group focuses on outreach to farmworker communities to “bridge the

information gap” among the government, employers and working communities.information gap” among the government, employers and working communities.

Putnam, who is also head of the foundation, has been working on producing resourcesPutnam, who is also head of the foundation, has been working on producing resources

for farmworkers since early in the pandemic.for farmworkers since early in the pandemic.

“We’ve really been thinking outside the box,” she said. “How do you reach that“We’ve really been thinking outside the box,” she said. “How do you reach that

community at a deeper level?”community at a deeper level?”

One way is through churches, where they distribute informational pamphlets and freeOne way is through churches, where they distribute informational pamphlets and free

masks. The group has also partnered with the St. Helena Hospital Foundation to fundmasks. The group has also partnered with the St. Helena Hospital Foundation to fund

mobile testing for its members’ vineyard and office workforces.mobile testing for its members’ vineyard and office workforces.

Ordaz, whose father emigrated from Mexico and got his start working on vineyards,Ordaz, whose father emigrated from Mexico and got his start working on vineyards,

thinks talking about the labor behind the food system is imperative to helping improvethinks talking about the labor behind the food system is imperative to helping improve

the lives of farmworkers. He and his family also want to do their part in helping make thethe lives of farmworkers. He and his family also want to do their part in helping make the

wine industry more sustainable.wine industry more sustainable.

“One of the dreams is to build some low-income housing for farmworkers,” he said.“One of the dreams is to build some low-income housing for farmworkers,” he said.

Danielle Echeverria is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email:Danielle Echeverria is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email:

[email protected]@sfchronicle.com Twitter: Twitter: @DanielleEchev@DanielleEchev

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going to throw at us, and COVID is another Mother Nature curveball, I guess.”going to throw at us, and COVID is another Mother Nature curveball, I guess.”

But a big part of the problem isn’t easy to fix. Coronavirus cases among farmworkers haveBut a big part of the problem isn’t easy to fix. Coronavirus cases among farmworkers have

been rising, with outbreaks tied to low-income, multifamily housing, rather than fields.been rising, with outbreaks tied to low-income, multifamily housing, rather than fields.

The Bay Area's crushing costs mean farmworkers have few housing options that they canThe Bay Area's crushing costs mean farmworkers have few housing options that they can

afford, and closer quarters make them more vulnerable to the virus.afford, and closer quarters make them more vulnerable to the virus.

Ordaz, like many growers, worries that this could make his efforts “meaningless.”Ordaz, like many growers, worries that this could make his efforts “meaningless.”

Napa and Solano counties have been added to the state’s monitoring list for a spike inNapa and Solano counties have been added to the state’s monitoring list for a spike in

cases among farmworkers tied to crowded housing facilities, according to the Californiacases among farmworkers tied to crowded housing facilities, according to the California

Department of Public Health.Department of Public Health.

Napa County tested 70% of the 180 residents in its three farmworker housing centers,Napa County tested 70% of the 180 residents in its three farmworker housing centers,

said Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio. She told the said Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio. She told the Napa Valley RegisterNapa Valley Register that the that the

county had seen 30 positive test results as of July 7. Each center, funded by a self-county had seen 30 positive test results as of July 7. Each center, funded by a self-

imposed growers tax and imposed growers tax and praisedpraised as a solution to the lack of affordable housing for as a solution to the lack of affordable housing for

workers, houses 60 people in 30 bedrooms with two beds each. Relucio did not respondworkers, houses 60 people in 30 bedrooms with two beds each. Relucio did not respond

to a request for comment.to a request for comment.

Solano County’s farmworker cases totaled “many dozens” over one to two weeks,Solano County’s farmworker cases totaled “many dozens” over one to two weeks,

according to the state. Solano County Public Health Officer Bela Matyas told the according to the state. Solano County Public Health Officer Bela Matyas told the RegisterRegister

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