NATIONAL GUARD TO DEPLOY IN MULTIPLE STATES OVER CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK; "SHELTER-IN-PLACE" ORDERS BEING ISSUED
Nation News Desk
13 March 2020
The National Guard said it would deploy troops in six states -- Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, New York, Rhode Island and Washington -- by the end of the day today (Friday). ALSO, the general public in several states should expect to hear SHELTER-IN-PLACE Orders issued by various state governors today; starting in Massachusetts.
"As of this morning, about 400 Air and Army National Guard professionals in six states - Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, New York, Rhode Island and Washington- are providing personnel in support of civil authority at the direction of their governors in response to COVID-19," the National Guard said in a statement Friday. "At the national level, Guard members are training personnel on COVID-19 response, identifying and preparing National Guard facilities for use as isolation housing, and compiling state medical supply inventories."
The statement noted that the National Guard's "first priority is to protect our people while saving lives." Thousands of additional troops are already being called-up for deployment.
"National Guard personnel will provide assistance to the states that include logistical support, disinfection/cleaning, activate/conduct transportation of medical personnel, call center support, and meal delivery," the statement read.
President Trump is expected to sign a Declaration of National Emergency under the Stafford Act, later today. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as Amended (Stafford Act), Title 42 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) § 5121 et seq., authorizes the President to provide Federal assistance when the magnitude of an incident or threatened incident exceeds the affected State, Territorial, Indian Tribal, and local government capabilities to respond or recover.
A press conference is scheduled for 3:00 PM at the White House.
Once the SHELTER-IN-PLACE Orders are issued by a Governor, people who have not yet prepared with emergency food, water and medicine, will be out of time and out of luck.