So far, 400 members of the National Guard have been activated from Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington to fight coronavirus. By the end of the day today, that number could grow to 1,000.
NY National Guard tasked with cleaning and providing food
"The National Guard is fully involved at the local, state, and federal level in the planning and execution of the nation's response to COVID-19," a release from the National Guard Bureau read. "In times of emergency, the National Guard Bureau serves as a federal coordinating agency should a state require assistance from the National Guard of another state."
Activated personnel are providing assistance to states including logistical support, disinfection and cleaning, transportation of medical personnel, call center support, and meal delivery. At the national level, Guard members are training personnel on COVID-19. Thirty-three states have so far declared emergencies in response to the spread of COVID-19.
The National Guard has canceled events, exercises, and conferences as a preventative measure against the virus.
US Forces Korea has coronavirus under control. What did USFK do — and are we doing the same?
On Wednesday of this week, the World Health Organization designated coronavirus as a pandemic.
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