Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic: What Is The U.S. Military (And The Military Of Other Countries) Doing?

Daily Mail: The Pentagon will donate 5 MILLION respirators to strapped medical facilities – and plans to deploy two Navy hospital ships to help deal with an anticipated flood of patients during the coronavirus outbreak

* The U.S. has begun sending out equipment from its strategic stockpile
* Looming shortages of masks, gowns, and gloves amid predicted hospitalizations
* In New York state, 19 per cent of positive coronavirus cases are being hospitalized
* Defense Secretary Esper says 1 million respirators are being shipped immediately
* Two U.S. Navy hospital ships to assist the effort
* Coronavirus task force coordinator Deborah Birx said hospital ships, use of V.A. facilities, and Defense Department facilities are in the mix
* Adding to the need are infections that have been identified among medical professionals serving on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak
* VP Mike Pence wants construction firms to donate excess N95 masks and hold off on new orders amid a coming shortage
* President Trump said the Army Corps of Engineers would build mobile field hospitals in several possible locations

The Pentagon is stepping in to aid the coronavirus outbreak, with Defense Secretary Mark Esper saying the military would donate up to 5 million respirators to hospitals, with 1 million being made available immediately.

Esper said the military also would donate 2,000 ventilators held in reserve, as part of the scramble to get U.S. hospitals staffed and outfitted for an anticipated crush of victims of the coronavirus.

Ventilators have become an acute issue, with only about 62,000 in use and others in stockpile, but an anticipated need that is far greater. The military normally keeps respirators on hand to protect troops from whatever they might encounter on the battlefield.

Read more ....

Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic: What Is The U.S. Military Is Doing

First veteran death due to coronavirus confirmed -- The Hill
Two more sailors on board warships have the coronavirus -- Navy Times
Coronavirus cases among US troops double in one day; Pentagon prepares hospital ships for response -- Stars and Stripes
The Pentagon just offered ventilators for the coronavirus response. It could do much more. -- VOX
Pentagon to give 5M respirator masks, 2,000 ventilators to HHS in response to coronavirus outbreak -- The Hill
The military is sending breathing masks, ventilators to civilian hospitals -- Military Times
US military to make labs available to test civilians for coronavirus and donate millions of medical masks to HHS amid pandemic -- CNN
Pentagon says any military support to coronavirus response involves 'trade-offs' -- CNN
Forty-nine service members have coronavirus: US military -- Reuters
US Forces-Korea says combat approach to COVID-19 is working -- Military Times
Trump deploys hospital ships in coronavirus 'war' -- AFP
Trump says he is 'starting the process' of having the military assist with coronavirus response -- CNN
Navy hospital ship deploying to New York to help with coronavirus crisis -- The Hill
Pentagon Says Preparing Two Navy Hospital Ships to Respond to COVID-19 Outbreak -- Sputnik
Troops are safer in the field during outbreak, 101st leaders say -- Army Times
STRATCOM: No COVID-19 Cases, So Far; Some Self-Quarantine -- Breaking Defense
The Military Can Reinforce The Postal System If COVID-19 Causes Delivery Disruptions -- Warzone/The Drive
Retired general: What is reasonable to expect from US military in a pandemic -- CNN
Why you can't just 'call out the military' to fix the coronavirus crisis -- Politico
Here’s how the military could help treat and contain the coronavirus pandemic -- Meghann Myers, Military Times
The Pentagon held an exercise for a flu pandemic 14 years ago. Here’s what was learned. -- Yahoo News

Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic: What The Military Of Other Countries Doing

French Army steps in to help badly hit eastern France cope with coronavirus -- France 24
How China’s military took a frontline role in the coronavirus crisis -- Minnie Chan, SCMP
Coronavirus: China designs floating hospital to combat infectious diseases -- SCMP
Russian Prisoners, Students and Military Will Be Commandeered to Produce Masks -- Moscow Times
Canada orders military members on leave abroad to return home, self-isolate -- CBC
Canadian military making COVID-19 plans amid worries crisis will embolden adversaries -- CTV News