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| Prepare for War or Fight Coronavirus? U.S. Military Battles Competing Instincts | Prepare for War or Fight Coronavirus? U.S. Military Battles Competing Instincts |
| (3 days later) | |
| WASHINGTON — One of the hallmarks of the United States military is its ability to project power around the world, often under the banner of slogans intended to strike fear in its adversaries. “Ready to fight tonight” for U.S. troops in South Korea; “America’s 911” for the Marine Corps expeditionary units at sea; the list goes on. | WASHINGTON — One of the hallmarks of the United States military is its ability to project power around the world, often under the banner of slogans intended to strike fear in its adversaries. “Ready to fight tonight” for U.S. troops in South Korea; “America’s 911” for the Marine Corps expeditionary units at sea; the list goes on. |
| But now the foe is a novel coronavirus, and it has struck deep. More than 1,200 military personnel and their family members are affected, disabling a talisman of American military might — a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier — and leaving the Defense Department virtually at war with itself over two competing instincts: protecting troops from the virus and continuing its decades-old mission of patrolling the globe and engaging in combat, if ordered to do so. | But now the foe is a novel coronavirus, and it has struck deep. More than 1,200 military personnel and their family members are affected, disabling a talisman of American military might — a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier — and leaving the Defense Department virtually at war with itself over two competing instincts: protecting troops from the virus and continuing its decades-old mission of patrolling the globe and engaging in combat, if ordered to do so. |
| The Navy is thus far refusing to completely evacuate an aircraft carrier where 93 service members have been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper has put himself on the side of business as usual in maintaining readiness while also saying that force protection is a top priority. President Trump, for his part, threatened a familiar foe, tweeting on Wednesday that Iran would “pay a very heavy price” if its proxies attacked American troops or assets in Iraq. Other Defense Department officials continued to insist that the aircraft carrier, the Theodore Roosevelt, remain ready to carry out its missions. | The Navy is thus far refusing to completely evacuate an aircraft carrier where 93 service members have been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper has put himself on the side of business as usual in maintaining readiness while also saying that force protection is a top priority. President Trump, for his part, threatened a familiar foe, tweeting on Wednesday that Iran would “pay a very heavy price” if its proxies attacked American troops or assets in Iraq. Other Defense Department officials continued to insist that the aircraft carrier, the Theodore Roosevelt, remain ready to carry out its missions. |
| The commander of the Roosevelt, Capt. Brett E. Crozier, pointed out in a strongly worded letter that “we are not at war.” That statement raised questions from the Pacific to the Pentagon of what was so important about the aircraft carrier’s presence off the coast of Guam that the Defense Department could not evacuate the ship and do a deep cleaning, as suggested by Captain Crozier. | The commander of the Roosevelt, Capt. Brett E. Crozier, pointed out in a strongly worded letter that “we are not at war.” That statement raised questions from the Pacific to the Pentagon of what was so important about the aircraft carrier’s presence off the coast of Guam that the Defense Department could not evacuate the ship and do a deep cleaning, as suggested by Captain Crozier. |
| “Militaries are made to move, but that runs counter to the imperative for everyone to stay in place,” said Derek Chollet, a former assistant secretary of defense. “Just as the Covid-19 threat becomes a priority, it does not mean that other threats disappear or enemies stand down.” | “Militaries are made to move, but that runs counter to the imperative for everyone to stay in place,” said Derek Chollet, a former assistant secretary of defense. “Just as the Covid-19 threat becomes a priority, it does not mean that other threats disappear or enemies stand down.” |
| U.S. warships typically spend months at sea monitoring the activities of adversaries. The ships assigned to the Pacific Fleet patrol the South China Sea, the East China Sea and areas in between, sometimes undertaking so-called freedom of navigation operations that bring them close to disputed islands in the area. The goal of these voyages is to drive home to China that the United States does not recognize Beijing’s claims of ownership. | U.S. warships typically spend months at sea monitoring the activities of adversaries. The ships assigned to the Pacific Fleet patrol the South China Sea, the East China Sea and areas in between, sometimes undertaking so-called freedom of navigation operations that bring them close to disputed islands in the area. The goal of these voyages is to drive home to China that the United States does not recognize Beijing’s claims of ownership. |
| American warships in the region are also keeping an eye on the nuclear and missile threat from North Korea. And they sit ready to deploy to the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf if tensions — with, say, Iran — flare up. | American warships in the region are also keeping an eye on the nuclear and missile threat from North Korea. And they sit ready to deploy to the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf if tensions — with, say, Iran — flare up. |
| But for the moment, the virus has proved far more damaging than any recent encounters with traditional adversaries and exposed a vulnerability of a force often referred to as the world’s policeman. For all the focus on the battles in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and the power conflict with China and Russia, none has come close to crippling an American aircraft carrier in days. | But for the moment, the virus has proved far more damaging than any recent encounters with traditional adversaries and exposed a vulnerability of a force often referred to as the world’s policeman. For all the focus on the battles in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and the power conflict with China and Russia, none has come close to crippling an American aircraft carrier in days. |
| “Without healthy sailors there is no mission readiness, so the health of the crew has to come first,” said James G. Stavridis, a retired admiral and former NATO commander. But, he added, the Navy cannot simply bring the carrier to port and send everyone off the ship: “It is full of weapons, billions of dollars of equipment, fire hazards and nuclear reactors.” | “Without healthy sailors there is no mission readiness, so the health of the crew has to come first,” said James G. Stavridis, a retired admiral and former NATO commander. But, he added, the Navy cannot simply bring the carrier to port and send everyone off the ship: “It is full of weapons, billions of dollars of equipment, fire hazards and nuclear reactors.” |
| As of Wednesday, about 1,000 of the approximately 4,800 crew members had been taken off the Roosevelt, a number that was expected to more than double in the coming days. | As of Wednesday, about 1,000 of the approximately 4,800 crew members had been taken off the Roosevelt, a number that was expected to more than double in the coming days. |
| Adm. Michael M. Gilday, the chief of naval operations, said on Wednesday that the Navy would have to maintain a core crew of about 1,000 to monitor the nuclear reactors, guard the warplanes and weapons and keep the ship running. | Adm. Michael M. Gilday, the chief of naval operations, said on Wednesday that the Navy would have to maintain a core crew of about 1,000 to monitor the nuclear reactors, guard the warplanes and weapons and keep the ship running. |
| But that could take the carrier out of action for weeks or even months. | But that could take the carrier out of action for weeks or even months. |
| “It won’t be resolved in the next couple of days,” Thomas B. Modly, the acting Navy secretary, told reporters on Wednesday alongside Admiral Gilday. “It will take some time.” | “It won’t be resolved in the next couple of days,” Thomas B. Modly, the acting Navy secretary, told reporters on Wednesday alongside Admiral Gilday. “It will take some time.” |
| One question now is whether the Navy will surge more ships to the Pacific to make up for the carrier hunkering down in port off Guam. | One question now is whether the Navy will surge more ships to the Pacific to make up for the carrier hunkering down in port off Guam. |
| The Roosevelt is one of the Navy’s 11 aircraft carriers. But only a third of the enormous ships and their air wings is deployed at any given time; one third is preparing for sea tours that last six to eight months, and the last third is undergoing maintenance after completing deployments. | The Roosevelt is one of the Navy’s 11 aircraft carriers. But only a third of the enormous ships and their air wings is deployed at any given time; one third is preparing for sea tours that last six to eight months, and the last third is undergoing maintenance after completing deployments. |
| There are currently four carriers deployed. The Eisenhower and the Truman are in the Persian Gulf, a sign of American resolve amid increasing tensions with Iran and its Shiite proxies in Iraq, which have carried out deadly rocket attacks against American troops in Iraq. | There are currently four carriers deployed. The Eisenhower and the Truman are in the Persian Gulf, a sign of American resolve amid increasing tensions with Iran and its Shiite proxies in Iraq, which have carried out deadly rocket attacks against American troops in Iraq. |
| Joining the Roosevelt in the western Pacific is the Ronald Reagan, which is based out of Yokosuka, Japan. | Joining the Roosevelt in the western Pacific is the Ronald Reagan, which is based out of Yokosuka, Japan. |
| For the military, the core issue is that as the virus spreads, it becomes increasingly difficult to carry on with training and missions. At U.S. military outposts all over the world, commanders are stopping training alongside local forces and instituting other measures to seal off their troops from the threat. Even so, the moves are ultimately half measures as the military, especially those who are deployed, live in shared spaces. | For the military, the core issue is that as the virus spreads, it becomes increasingly difficult to carry on with training and missions. At U.S. military outposts all over the world, commanders are stopping training alongside local forces and instituting other measures to seal off their troops from the threat. Even so, the moves are ultimately half measures as the military, especially those who are deployed, live in shared spaces. |
| That problem is only amplified in the Navy. Each ship — with confined berthing areas, mess halls, shared bathrooms and nowhere to go — is a cramped cell where social distancing is nearly impossible. | That problem is only amplified in the Navy. Each ship — with confined berthing areas, mess halls, shared bathrooms and nowhere to go — is a cramped cell where social distancing is nearly impossible. |
| “Once the virus is on a ship like that, it’s going to spread,” Mr. Modly said. He added that of the approximately 90 ships that were currently deployed, the Roosevelt was the only one currently contending with the virus. Discussions were underway about whether more adjustments to operations might be needed in the future, he said. | “Once the virus is on a ship like that, it’s going to spread,” Mr. Modly said. He added that of the approximately 90 ships that were currently deployed, the Roosevelt was the only one currently contending with the virus. Discussions were underway about whether more adjustments to operations might be needed in the future, he said. |
| Current and former Navy officials offered conflicting assessments of how their leadership had handled the unfolding crisis aboard the Roosevelt. Some noted that the carrier promptly pulled into port to enable a wider testing program and a safer mechanism to transfer infected sailors off the ship. | Current and former Navy officials offered conflicting assessments of how their leadership had handled the unfolding crisis aboard the Roosevelt. Some noted that the carrier promptly pulled into port to enable a wider testing program and a safer mechanism to transfer infected sailors off the ship. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| “The system of risk assessment inherent in military operations is functioning as designed,” said Adm. Scott H. Swift, a former Pacific Fleet commander. “The challenges we all face is the scope and scale of the impact of the virus.” | “The system of risk assessment inherent in military operations is functioning as designed,” said Adm. Scott H. Swift, a former Pacific Fleet commander. “The challenges we all face is the scope and scale of the impact of the virus.” |
| But others warned that the response was falling short, and that it threatened the combat readiness of many Navy warships. | But others warned that the response was falling short, and that it threatened the combat readiness of many Navy warships. |
| “Think Diamond Princess by a factor of 10,” said Sean O’Keefe, a former secretary of the Navy, referring to the commercial cruise liner on which hundreds of passengers were stricken. “There’s no way to effectively segregate large numbers of crew members before the virus moves through the entire ship. It doesn’t take an active imagination to realize the U.S. Navy’s deployed fleet could be immobilized in six weeks if the naval service can’t come up with an effective containment strategy.” | “Think Diamond Princess by a factor of 10,” said Sean O’Keefe, a former secretary of the Navy, referring to the commercial cruise liner on which hundreds of passengers were stricken. “There’s no way to effectively segregate large numbers of crew members before the virus moves through the entire ship. It doesn’t take an active imagination to realize the U.S. Navy’s deployed fleet could be immobilized in six weeks if the naval service can’t come up with an effective containment strategy.” |
| Other commanders expressed fears that adversaries could see the stricken carrier as an opportunity to harm the United States or American interests at a time when the Pentagon and the Trump administration are consumed with fighting the coronavirus. | Other commanders expressed fears that adversaries could see the stricken carrier as an opportunity to harm the United States or American interests at a time when the Pentagon and the Trump administration are consumed with fighting the coronavirus. |
| “My concern is the signal the Chinese, the North Koreans or the Russians pick up from this, and see it as an opportunity for misadventure,” said Vice Adm. William Douglas Crowder, a retired commander of the Seventh Fleet and a former deputy chief of naval operations. “They miscalculate our ability to respond.” | “My concern is the signal the Chinese, the North Koreans or the Russians pick up from this, and see it as an opportunity for misadventure,” said Vice Adm. William Douglas Crowder, a retired commander of the Seventh Fleet and a former deputy chief of naval operations. “They miscalculate our ability to respond.” |
| Other branches of the military are having issues as well. “It’s having an impact on readiness,” Gen. David L. Goldfein, the Air Force chief of staff, acknowledged in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. | Other branches of the military are having issues as well. “It’s having an impact on readiness,” Gen. David L. Goldfein, the Air Force chief of staff, acknowledged in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. |
| Air Force warplanes are flying fewer missions and conducting less training, operating with split shifts and split crews to limit the exposure of personnel to the virus. The Air Force’s nuclear mission was not affected, said Brig. Gen. Edward W. Thomas Jr., the service’s top spokesman. Missile crews were split up, isolated and protected, he said, and each one was working. | Air Force warplanes are flying fewer missions and conducting less training, operating with split shifts and split crews to limit the exposure of personnel to the virus. The Air Force’s nuclear mission was not affected, said Brig. Gen. Edward W. Thomas Jr., the service’s top spokesman. Missile crews were split up, isolated and protected, he said, and each one was working. |
| “If any adversary believed that our defenses were weakened,” General Thomas said, “it would be a serious miscalculation.” | “If any adversary believed that our defenses were weakened,” General Thomas said, “it would be a serious miscalculation.” |