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Acting Navy Secretary Resigns After Outcry Over Criticism of Virus-Stricken Crew Acting Navy Secretary Resigns After Outcry Over Criticism of Virus-Stricken Crew
(1 day later)
WASHINGTON — Thomas B. Modly, the acting Navy secretary, resigned Tuesday after his bungled response to an outbreak of the novel coronavirus aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt engulfed the Navy in a command crisis and a public relations disaster.WASHINGTON — Thomas B. Modly, the acting Navy secretary, resigned Tuesday after his bungled response to an outbreak of the novel coronavirus aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt engulfed the Navy in a command crisis and a public relations disaster.
Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper accepted Mr. Modly’s resignation Tuesday morning, as a growing chorus of lawmakers and former military officials called for the firing of the acting Navy secretary, who single-handedly turned a health issue into a crisis of morals and morale for the Navy.Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper accepted Mr. Modly’s resignation Tuesday morning, as a growing chorus of lawmakers and former military officials called for the firing of the acting Navy secretary, who single-handedly turned a health issue into a crisis of morals and morale for the Navy.
Announcing Mr. Modly’s departure, Mr. Esper sought to put the unfolding disaster in the best possible light.Announcing Mr. Modly’s departure, Mr. Esper sought to put the unfolding disaster in the best possible light.
“He resigned of his own accord, putting the Navy and the sailors above self so that the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, and the Navy as an institution, can move forward,” Mr. Esper said in a letter. He said he had briefed President Trump on the resignation.“He resigned of his own accord, putting the Navy and the sailors above self so that the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, and the Navy as an institution, can move forward,” Mr. Esper said in a letter. He said he had briefed President Trump on the resignation.
Mr. Modly became the acting Navy secretary after Mr. Trump fired Richard V. Spencer in November. He will be succeeded by yet another acting secretary, Mr. Esper said. The move continues the revolving door of appointees that has characterized the Defense Department’s civilian leadership since Mr. Trump came to power.Mr. Modly became the acting Navy secretary after Mr. Trump fired Richard V. Spencer in November. He will be succeeded by yet another acting secretary, Mr. Esper said. The move continues the revolving door of appointees that has characterized the Defense Department’s civilian leadership since Mr. Trump came to power.
Next up for the Navy’s top civilian job, Mr. Esper said, will be Jim McPherson, the current Army under secretary.Next up for the Navy’s top civilian job, Mr. Esper said, will be Jim McPherson, the current Army under secretary.
Few were mourning Mr. Modly’s resignation on Tuesday.Few were mourning Mr. Modly’s resignation on Tuesday.
“After mismanaging the Covid-19 outbreak on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, it became obvious that Acting Secretary Modly had forfeited his ability to lead the Navy,” Representative Adam Smith, Democrat of Washington and the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. “His actions had become a distraction at a time when we need the Navy to be focused on preserving the safety of our sailors and maintaining the readiness of our fleet.”“After mismanaging the Covid-19 outbreak on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, it became obvious that Acting Secretary Modly had forfeited his ability to lead the Navy,” Representative Adam Smith, Democrat of Washington and the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. “His actions had become a distraction at a time when we need the Navy to be focused on preserving the safety of our sailors and maintaining the readiness of our fleet.”
On Guam, it was not yet 7 a.m. when the crew of the Roosevelt heard the news of Mr. Modly’s resignation. They were elated, one crew member said, as sailors standing watch passed the word to their replacements as they woke up.On Guam, it was not yet 7 a.m. when the crew of the Roosevelt heard the news of Mr. Modly’s resignation. They were elated, one crew member said, as sailors standing watch passed the word to their replacements as they woke up.
Mr. Modly’s departure may help cauterize a string of self-inflicted wounds that began last week, after The San Francisco Chronicle published a letter in which the Roosevelt’s commander, Capt. Brett E. Crozier, pleaded with the Navy to help contain the virus that had spread rapidly through his ship.Mr. Modly’s departure may help cauterize a string of self-inflicted wounds that began last week, after The San Francisco Chronicle published a letter in which the Roosevelt’s commander, Capt. Brett E. Crozier, pleaded with the Navy to help contain the virus that had spread rapidly through his ship.
Mr. Modly’s response last Thursday was to fire Captain Crozier, accusing him of circumventing the Navy’s traditional chain of command by copying more than 20 people on the emailed letter.Mr. Modly’s response last Thursday was to fire Captain Crozier, accusing him of circumventing the Navy’s traditional chain of command by copying more than 20 people on the emailed letter.
The firing sent shock waves through the crew, which were only exacerbated Monday when Mr. Modly flew to Guam, where the Roosevelt is now docked, and said Captain Crozier was “too naïve or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this.”The firing sent shock waves through the crew, which were only exacerbated Monday when Mr. Modly flew to Guam, where the Roosevelt is now docked, and said Captain Crozier was “too naïve or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this.”
The fate of Captain Crozier’s career is likely to depend on the outcome of an investigation into the episode that is now underway inside the Navy.The fate of Captain Crozier’s career is likely to depend on the outcome of an investigation into the episode that is now underway inside the Navy.
The Navy has announced more than 230 coronavirus cases aboard the Roosevelt since the outbreak started in late March, after the ship had docked in Da Nang, Vietnam.The Navy has announced more than 230 coronavirus cases aboard the Roosevelt since the outbreak started in late March, after the ship had docked in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Mounting pressure to remove Mr. Modly had presented a stark choice for Mr. Esper: convince Mr. Trump that his appointment, Mr. Modly, was no longer fit to serve, or allow the controversy ignited by Mr. Modly to engulf the entire military.Mounting pressure to remove Mr. Modly had presented a stark choice for Mr. Esper: convince Mr. Trump that his appointment, Mr. Modly, was no longer fit to serve, or allow the controversy ignited by Mr. Modly to engulf the entire military.
After the resignation, Mr. Trump both praised and criticized Mr. Modly and Captain Crozier.After the resignation, Mr. Trump both praised and criticized Mr. Modly and Captain Crozier.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, the president said the former Roosevelt commander should not have written a letter that became public: “He didn’t have to be Ernest Hemingway.”Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, the president said the former Roosevelt commander should not have written a letter that became public: “He didn’t have to be Ernest Hemingway.”
While Mr. Trump said Captain Crozier “made a mistake,” he also noted that “he had a bad day.”While Mr. Trump said Captain Crozier “made a mistake,” he also noted that “he had a bad day.”
The president described Mr. Modly’s resignation as “a very unselfish thing for him to do,” but that he “probably shouldn’t have said what he said.”The president described Mr. Modly’s resignation as “a very unselfish thing for him to do,” but that he “probably shouldn’t have said what he said.”
As the civilian leader of the Defense Department, Mr. Esper could have fired Mr. Modly himself, as he did the previous Navy secretary when the official ran afoul of Mr. Trump’s action to protect a member of the Navy SEALs accused of a war crime. But Mr. Esper wanted approval from Mr. Trump, Defense Department officials said.As the civilian leader of the Defense Department, Mr. Esper could have fired Mr. Modly himself, as he did the previous Navy secretary when the official ran afoul of Mr. Trump’s action to protect a member of the Navy SEALs accused of a war crime. But Mr. Esper wanted approval from Mr. Trump, Defense Department officials said.
The situation had reached a boiling point as a number of lawmakers said they had lost confidence in Mr. Modly; they were upset over the firing of Captain Crozier. But Mr. Modly’s decision to then fly 8,000 miles to Guam to deliver a 15-minute tirade at the crew infuriated members of Congress, military families and even senior Defense Department civilians and military officers.The situation had reached a boiling point as a number of lawmakers said they had lost confidence in Mr. Modly; they were upset over the firing of Captain Crozier. But Mr. Modly’s decision to then fly 8,000 miles to Guam to deliver a 15-minute tirade at the crew infuriated members of Congress, military families and even senior Defense Department civilians and military officers.
Updated June 30, 2020
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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Senior lawmakers praised Mr. Modly’s resignation after it became public on Tuesday.Senior lawmakers praised Mr. Modly’s resignation after it became public on Tuesday.
“Mr. Modly mishandled the situation,” Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island and the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. He called Mr. Modly’s actions “inappropriate for the leader of the U.S. Navy at any time, particularly in a crisis” and warned that the “new leadership of the Navy must do better in leading and protecting sailors, Marines and their families in this unprecedented crisis.”“Mr. Modly mishandled the situation,” Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island and the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. He called Mr. Modly’s actions “inappropriate for the leader of the U.S. Navy at any time, particularly in a crisis” and warned that the “new leadership of the Navy must do better in leading and protecting sailors, Marines and their families in this unprecedented crisis.”
Senator Jim Inhofe, Republican of Oklahoma, expressed frustration with the turnover in Navy leadership. He warned that he would be seeking answers to questions “about the events that led us to where we are today, from who made the decision to dock the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt in Vietnam at the height of the Covid-19 crisis there, to the support being given to unit commanding officers by Navy leadership.”Senator Jim Inhofe, Republican of Oklahoma, expressed frustration with the turnover in Navy leadership. He warned that he would be seeking answers to questions “about the events that led us to where we are today, from who made the decision to dock the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt in Vietnam at the height of the Covid-19 crisis there, to the support being given to unit commanding officers by Navy leadership.”
Inside the Pentagon, officials had expressed anger over what they had characterized as Mr. Modly’s lack of respect for the enlisted rank and file, particularly in the middle of a pandemic.Inside the Pentagon, officials had expressed anger over what they had characterized as Mr. Modly’s lack of respect for the enlisted rank and file, particularly in the middle of a pandemic.
During his 30-minute visit to the Roosevelt on Monday, Mr. Modly complained that Captain Crozier’s letter for help had caused a political headache for Guam. He also rebuked the crew for having cheered the captain as he left the ship.During his 30-minute visit to the Roosevelt on Monday, Mr. Modly complained that Captain Crozier’s letter for help had caused a political headache for Guam. He also rebuked the crew for having cheered the captain as he left the ship.
As audio of Mr. Modly’s remarks spread across the military ranks and on social media, the acting Navy secretary first doubled down on Monday. “I stand by every word I said,” he said in a statement that the Navy emailed to reporters.As audio of Mr. Modly’s remarks spread across the military ranks and on social media, the acting Navy secretary first doubled down on Monday. “I stand by every word I said,” he said in a statement that the Navy emailed to reporters.
By Monday night, however, after calls for his removal grew and Mr. Trump indicated that he would look into the matter, Mr. Modly changed his tune. “I want to apologize to the Navy for my recent comments to the crew of the T.R.,” he said in a statement. “I do not think Captain Brett Crozier is naïve nor stupid.”By Monday night, however, after calls for his removal grew and Mr. Trump indicated that he would look into the matter, Mr. Modly changed his tune. “I want to apologize to the Navy for my recent comments to the crew of the T.R.,” he said in a statement. “I do not think Captain Brett Crozier is naïve nor stupid.”
Military officials also appeared worried about the damage Mr. Modly’s visit had done to the morale of the Roosevelt’s crew.Military officials also appeared worried about the damage Mr. Modly’s visit had done to the morale of the Roosevelt’s crew.
On Tuesday, Vice Adm. William R. Merz, a top Navy official for the Pacific region, paid his own visit to the ship. He addressed the crew over the loudspeaker before entering one of the hangar bays, where he took questions — something Mr. Modly did not do on Monday — for more than an hour and a half.On Tuesday, Vice Adm. William R. Merz, a top Navy official for the Pacific region, paid his own visit to the ship. He addressed the crew over the loudspeaker before entering one of the hangar bays, where he took questions — something Mr. Modly did not do on Monday — for more than an hour and a half.
It was a welcome change from Mr. Modly’s visit, a crew member said, adding that Admiral Merz planned to stay aboard for several days.It was a welcome change from Mr. Modly’s visit, a crew member said, adding that Admiral Merz planned to stay aboard for several days.