California Cannabis Workers First to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
2021 has seen a rollout of the first generation of COVID-19 vaccines. Naturally, there is a select amount available under the first wave of vaccine distribution. Most of these are reserved for the elderly and healthcare workers. Earlier this month, members of the cannabis industry were added to the initial phase. Here’s why people in the cannabis industry are among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in California.
Why the cannabis industry is first
Think about it: this makes perfect sense. The cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing industries of the century. The industry is on pace to surpass $200 billion by the end of the decade. Moreover, the level of food and agricultural involvement performed by members of the cannabis industry equal to that of employees in clinical care. The cannabis industry is touchy-feely. It has to be if it is to be successful. The backbone of the industry is primarily agricultural. Cannabis cultivators and licensed producers produce 1000s of pounds of cannabis per year. Moreover, COVID-19 is no stranger to organic matter such as cannabis and certain mediums. When you combine these factors with the level of distribution necessary for the industry to be successful, a COVID-19 vaccine is a must. Be sure to check out our recent piece on the dynamic plant-touching jobs in the cannabis industry here.
A hand-to-hand industry
As briefly aforementioned, the cannabis industry is a very physical one. This does not solely include cultivation. The cannabis industry has been operating since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Many states, including California, opted in, deeming cannabis delivery services essential. This is thanks to its medicinal properties. Additionally, many of these cannabis delivery services witnessed a surge in profits upward of 20%. The cannabis industry is not going anywhere. At the end of last year, the US witnessed five states pass pro-cannabis legislation. There is even a bill calling for the federal legalization of cannabis in 2021. This means that the industry is still growing. When you consider all of these factors, that is an intense amount of risk to the transmission of COVID-19. It is very similar to the hands-on approach many deal with in the medical field. One way to weaken the risk of transmitting COVID-19 is to receive the vaccine. This is why California departments are mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for members of the cannabis industry. It has become the backbone of the state and is now for a spinal tap.
Understanding COVID-19
The Coronavirus is a SARS-like virus that was discovered in January of 2020. Coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China. However, Coronavirus has now been identified in almost 70 locations worldwide, including in the United States of America. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” by the Center for Disease Control, or CDC. Coronavirus is also known by its alias ‘COVID-19,’ due to the Coronavirus being detected towards the end of the 2019 calendar year. It is currently unknown exactly where COVID-19 originates from.
Some researchers believe that COVID-19 originated in cattle, camels, rats, and/or bats and was eventually transmitted to humans. Researchers believe that the aforementioned livestock are the culprit due to COVID-19’s viral similarities to other viruses such as SARS, MERS, and others. Like most viral outbreaks, Coronavirus can be easily transmitted from person-to-person or even animal-to-person. The Center for Disease Control states that COVID-19 can be transmitted by coming within 6 feet of an infected individual. It is also possible to contract COVID-19 by coming in contact with infected surfaces such as toilets, sinks, countertops, etc.