ABSTRACT

Objective: The Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (WCAHS) at the University of California, Davis implemented a multifaceted rapid response to COVID-19 in the western United States. This paper describes the center’s response from mid-March through June 30, 2020.

Methods: A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted with agricultural stakeholders. Agriculture-specific COVID-19 resources were developed and disseminated, and a farmer/employer survey was launched.

Results: The WCAHS COVID-19 resources web page, worksite checklist, and training guide were shared on over 50 web pages nationally. As of June 30, 2020, 282 online surveys have been received. Ongoing informal discussions with agricultural stakeholders indicate a disconnect between the experiences of farmers/employers and farmworkers in relation to COVID-19 prevention at the worksite. Initial survey responses indicate that implementing social distancing is one of the greatest challenges at the worksite. Confusion over local, state, and federal guidelines and which to follow is another concern.

Conclusion: The WCAHS response to COVID-19, in close collaboration with agricultural stakeholders, represents a useful model for a rapid response to a public health crisis by regional centers. Key elements to its success include rapid personalized communication with a wide range of agricultural stakeholders, an actively engaged External Advisory Board, the development of industry-specific resources and information, recurring and iterative engagement with stakeholders as new COVID-19 information emerged and resources were developed, and the identification of the unique gap WCAHS was positioned to fill. The multipronged dissemination approach enhanced the reach of WCAHS COVID-19 resources.

摘要

目的：戴维斯加州大学的西部农业健康与安全中心（WCAHS）在美国西部实施了对COVID-19的多方面快速反应。本文介绍了该中心从2020年3月中旬到2020年6月30日的回应。

方法：与农业利益相关者进行了全面的需求评估。开发和传播了针对农业的COVID-19资源，并启动了农民/雇主调查。

结果：WCAHS COVID-19资源网页，工作场所清单和培训指南已在全国50多个网页上共享。截至2020年6月30日，已收到282个在线调查。与农业利益相关者正在进行的非正式讨论表明，农民/雇主和农场工人在工作现场预防COVID-19方面的经验之间存在脱节。最初的调查答复表明，在工作场所实施社会隔离是最大的挑战之一。对地方，州和联邦准则的困惑以及应遵循的准则是另一个问题。

结论：WCAHS与农业利益相关者密切合作对COVID-19的响应，代表了一个有用的模式，可快速响应区域中心对公共卫生危机的应对。其成功的关键要素包括与广泛的农业利益相关者的快速个性化沟通，积极参与的外部顾问委员会，特定行业资源和信息的开发，随着新的COVID-19信息的出现和资源的不断与利益相关者反复参与。开发，并填补了WCAHS的独特空白。多管齐下的传播方法扩大了WCAHS COVID-19资源的覆盖面。