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| Navy Inquiry Faults Two Top Officers Aboard Roosevelt for Handling of Virus | Navy Inquiry Faults Two Top Officers Aboard Roosevelt for Handling of Virus |
| (3 days later) | |
| WASHINGTON — The two top officers aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt made poor decisions in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus onboard the warship, according to the final results of a Navy inquiry released Friday. | WASHINGTON — The two top officers aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt made poor decisions in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus onboard the warship, according to the final results of a Navy inquiry released Friday. |
| As a result of the findings, Capt. Brett E. Crozier will not be restored to command of the virus-stricken ship, and his boss onboard, Rear. Adm. Stuart P. Baker, will have his promotion to two-star admiral put on hold. | As a result of the findings, Capt. Brett E. Crozier will not be restored to command of the virus-stricken ship, and his boss onboard, Rear. Adm. Stuart P. Baker, will have his promotion to two-star admiral put on hold. |
| There will be no other punitive action taken against Captain Crozier, but not regaining his command will effectively end his three-decade career in the Navy. | There will be no other punitive action taken against Captain Crozier, but not regaining his command will effectively end his three-decade career in the Navy. |
| The conclusions of the investigation were announced by Kenneth Braithwaite, the Navy secretary, and Adm. Michael M. Gilday, the chief of naval operations, at a Pentagon news conference. | The conclusions of the investigation were announced by Kenneth Braithwaite, the Navy secretary, and Adm. Michael M. Gilday, the chief of naval operations, at a Pentagon news conference. |
| “They did not do enough, soon enough,” Admiral Gilday told reporters, referring to both Captain Crozier and Admiral Baker’s initial efforts to combat the illness as the ship pulled into Guam. | “They did not do enough, soon enough,” Admiral Gilday told reporters, referring to both Captain Crozier and Admiral Baker’s initial efforts to combat the illness as the ship pulled into Guam. |
| “If Captain Crozier was still in command, I would be relieving him,” Admiral Gilday said. | “If Captain Crozier was still in command, I would be relieving him,” Admiral Gilday said. |
| The decisions signify a reversal for Admiral Gilday. He previously had recommended to his Pentagon superiors that command of the Roosevelt be returned to Captain Crozier, who was relieved in April after he pleaded for more help fighting the coronavirus outbreak aboard his ship in an email that eventually leaked to the media. | The decisions signify a reversal for Admiral Gilday. He previously had recommended to his Pentagon superiors that command of the Roosevelt be returned to Captain Crozier, who was relieved in April after he pleaded for more help fighting the coronavirus outbreak aboard his ship in an email that eventually leaked to the media. |
| The events surrounding Captain Crozier, who has been viewed as a hero by his crew for putting their lives above his career, had seized the attention of the Navy, the military and even a nation struggling with the coronavirus. | The events surrounding Captain Crozier, who has been viewed as a hero by his crew for putting their lives above his career, had seized the attention of the Navy, the military and even a nation struggling with the coronavirus. |
| At its core, the Pentagon’s understanding of what happened on the Roosevelt and the reach of the infection parallels the world’s growing understanding of the illness, rendering the investigation’s results with a sense of 20-20 hindsight given the lack of knowledge at the beginning of the crisis when crew members first tested positive for the novel coronavirus. | At its core, the Pentagon’s understanding of what happened on the Roosevelt and the reach of the infection parallels the world’s growing understanding of the illness, rendering the investigation’s results with a sense of 20-20 hindsight given the lack of knowledge at the beginning of the crisis when crew members first tested positive for the novel coronavirus. |
| Admiral Gilday was quick to distance Captain Crozier’s initial email pleading for more help from his chain of command — the focus of the Navy’s preliminary inquiry in April — from the final outcome of a second, more wide-reaching investigation. | Admiral Gilday was quick to distance Captain Crozier’s initial email pleading for more help from his chain of command — the focus of the Navy’s preliminary inquiry in April — from the final outcome of a second, more wide-reaching investigation. |
| Admiral Gilday said the second inquiry focused on a series of decisions by Captain Crozier and Admiral Baker as the Roosevelt pulled into Guam, namely that they failed to enforce social distancing in the tight quarters aboard ship, and waited for hotel rooms on Guam to open up instead of rushing the crew to cramped housing on base. Yet, that could have led to more infections. | Admiral Gilday said the second inquiry focused on a series of decisions by Captain Crozier and Admiral Baker as the Roosevelt pulled into Guam, namely that they failed to enforce social distancing in the tight quarters aboard ship, and waited for hotel rooms on Guam to open up instead of rushing the crew to cramped housing on base. Yet, that could have led to more infections. |
| “They placed crew comfort ahead of crew safety,” Admiral Gilday said. He added that the ship's air wing commander and chief medical officer would also face administrative punishment. | “They placed crew comfort ahead of crew safety,” Admiral Gilday said. He added that the ship's air wing commander and chief medical officer would also face administrative punishment. |
| Absent from the investigation’s finding was any blame for senior Navy leaders who approved the Roosevelt’s four-day port call in early March to Da Nang, Vietnam, where Admiral Gilday said the virus most likely came aboard. | Absent from the investigation’s finding was any blame for senior Navy leaders who approved the Roosevelt’s four-day port call in early March to Da Nang, Vietnam, where Admiral Gilday said the virus most likely came aboard. |
| The top United States military officer in the Pacific, Adm. Philip S. Davidson, ordered the visit to proceed as a show of military might in a region increasingly worried about China’s growing territorial claims in the South China Sea. It was also only the second time a U.S. aircraft carrier had visited the country since the end of the Vietnam War. | The top United States military officer in the Pacific, Adm. Philip S. Davidson, ordered the visit to proceed as a show of military might in a region increasingly worried about China’s growing territorial claims in the South China Sea. It was also only the second time a U.S. aircraft carrier had visited the country since the end of the Vietnam War. |
| Admiral Gilday defended that decision to proceed with the port call, saying there had been only a handful of reported coronavirus cases, mostly in the northern part of the country, at the time the Roosevelt pulled in. | Admiral Gilday defended that decision to proceed with the port call, saying there had been only a handful of reported coronavirus cases, mostly in the northern part of the country, at the time the Roosevelt pulled in. |
| The three-month saga of the Theodore Roosevelt also offers a window into how the military has tried to adjust to the wishes of an unpredictable commander in chief. Captain Crozier was fired in part because of fears that President Trump wanted him gone, and not knowing how the president feels about reinstating the captain has cast a shadow over the Navy’s actions ever since. | The three-month saga of the Theodore Roosevelt also offers a window into how the military has tried to adjust to the wishes of an unpredictable commander in chief. Captain Crozier was fired in part because of fears that President Trump wanted him gone, and not knowing how the president feels about reinstating the captain has cast a shadow over the Navy’s actions ever since. |
| Captain Crozier was relieved of command on April 2 by the then-acting Navy Secretary Thomas B. Modly, who said he had lost confidence in him. After the firing, Captain Crozier’s personal setback took on momentum as a larger cause. Videos of hundreds of sailors cheering their skipper as he walked off the ship’s gangway spread widely on social media. | Captain Crozier was relieved of command on April 2 by the then-acting Navy Secretary Thomas B. Modly, who said he had lost confidence in him. After the firing, Captain Crozier’s personal setback took on momentum as a larger cause. Videos of hundreds of sailors cheering their skipper as he walked off the ship’s gangway spread widely on social media. |
| In an ill-advised attempt to control a quickly deteriorating public affairs disaster after the firing of Captain Crozier, Mr. Modly flew 8,000 miles to Guam. | In an ill-advised attempt to control a quickly deteriorating public affairs disaster after the firing of Captain Crozier, Mr. Modly flew 8,000 miles to Guam. |
| Onboard the Roosevelt, he delivered a 15-minute tirade at the crew that, once it leaked, infuriated members of Congress, military families and even senior Defense Department civilians and military officers. Mr. Modly was forced to resign. | Onboard the Roosevelt, he delivered a 15-minute tirade at the crew that, once it leaked, infuriated members of Congress, military families and even senior Defense Department civilians and military officers. Mr. Modly was forced to resign. |
| At about the same time, Mr. Trump voiced conflicting views about Captain Crozier’s fate. At one point, Mr. Trump indicated that he might be open to reassessing the events around the firing. He said that Captain Crozier “made a mistake,” but he also noted that the captain “had a bad day.” | At about the same time, Mr. Trump voiced conflicting views about Captain Crozier’s fate. At one point, Mr. Trump indicated that he might be open to reassessing the events around the firing. He said that Captain Crozier “made a mistake,” but he also noted that the captain “had a bad day.” |
| Pentagon officials said on Friday that Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper supported the Navy’s decisions and had told the White House about them before the news conference. | Pentagon officials said on Friday that Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper supported the Navy’s decisions and had told the White House about them before the news conference. |
| A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential communications, said no one from the White House was consulted with or provided guidance on the decision. | A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential communications, said no one from the White House was consulted with or provided guidance on the decision. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | |
| 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Some senior lawmakers reacted with skepticism to the Navy’s latest decision. | Some senior lawmakers reacted with skepticism to the Navy’s latest decision. |
| Representative Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat who heads the House Armed Services Committee, said the Navy should have conducted a more comprehensive investigation from the very beginning. He added that blame for the Navy’s bungled response to the Covid-19 outbreak extended well beyond Captain Crozier. | Representative Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat who heads the House Armed Services Committee, said the Navy should have conducted a more comprehensive investigation from the very beginning. He added that blame for the Navy’s bungled response to the Covid-19 outbreak extended well beyond Captain Crozier. |
| “The Navy did not respond the way they should have or as quickly as they should have to adequately address the outbreak,” Mr. Smith said in a statement. “Everyone up and down the chain of command had a role to play in the inadequate response —- including then-Acting Secretary of the Navy Modly.” | “The Navy did not respond the way they should have or as quickly as they should have to adequately address the outbreak,” Mr. Smith said in a statement. “Everyone up and down the chain of command had a role to play in the inadequate response —- including then-Acting Secretary of the Navy Modly.” |
| Mr. Smith said the committee was conducting its own inquiry into what happened aboard the Roosevelt. | Mr. Smith said the committee was conducting its own inquiry into what happened aboard the Roosevelt. |
| After a weekslong quarantine in Guam, the Roosevelt resumed operations in the Philippine Sea this month. The 4,600 crew members — minus 200 sailors who stayed behind to recover from the coronavirus and were eventually flown to the United States — assumed they would be home sometime in July, the scheduled end of their six-month deployment. | After a weekslong quarantine in Guam, the Roosevelt resumed operations in the Philippine Sea this month. The 4,600 crew members — minus 200 sailors who stayed behind to recover from the coronavirus and were eventually flown to the United States — assumed they would be home sometime in July, the scheduled end of their six-month deployment. |
| But just days before their departure from the island, sailors were told their deployment had been extended. | But just days before their departure from the island, sailors were told their deployment had been extended. |
| For how long remains unclear — although one crew member said that it most likely had to do with the Navy’s desire to simultaneously deploy three nuclear-powered carriers in the Western Pacific for a symbolic show of American might and a photo op. | For how long remains unclear — although one crew member said that it most likely had to do with the Navy’s desire to simultaneously deploy three nuclear-powered carriers in the Western Pacific for a symbolic show of American might and a photo op. |
| This sentiment was echoed in an announcement to the crew by the interim skipper, Capt. Carlos Sardiello, just before the ship departed from Guam. Broadcasting from the ship’s loudspeakers, Captain Sardiello called the Roosevelt a “symbol” to the free world, and its triumph over the novel coronavirus a monumental feat. | This sentiment was echoed in an announcement to the crew by the interim skipper, Capt. Carlos Sardiello, just before the ship departed from Guam. Broadcasting from the ship’s loudspeakers, Captain Sardiello called the Roosevelt a “symbol” to the free world, and its triumph over the novel coronavirus a monumental feat. |
| But the Roosevelt is still fighting to change its luck. | But the Roosevelt is still fighting to change its luck. |
| Two F/A-18F Super Hornet aviators were forced to eject while conducting routine flight operations on the Philippine Sea on Thursday, the Navy said in a statement. Both aviators were quickly rescued and are in good condition, but the $64.3 million attack plane was lost to the depths. An investigation is underway. | Two F/A-18F Super Hornet aviators were forced to eject while conducting routine flight operations on the Philippine Sea on Thursday, the Navy said in a statement. Both aviators were quickly rescued and are in good condition, but the $64.3 million attack plane was lost to the depths. An investigation is underway. |