(TargetLiberty.org) – The United States Navy is in a unique situation when it comes to the fight against COVID-19. Many of the men and women serve aboard ships, in close quarters, and can be deployed for 8-10 months or more. Now, an aircraft carrier, the most vital of ships in the US fleet, is facing a major problem.
The spread of the coronavirus is “ongoing and accelerating” aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and its captain is warning that dramatic action must be taken immediately to prevent scores of dead sailors.https://t.co/wAM9g3Q1Eq
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 31, 2020
The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), home to approximately 4,000 sailors, is anchored just off the naval base at Guam. Unfortunately, some crew members have been hit with the COVID-19 and the virus is spreading. Social distancing simply does not work aboard a carrier where sailors are literally crammed into small quarters. As a result, the virus can spread quickly if appropriate action is not taken immediately. Captain Brett Crozier, the commanding officer of the Roosevelt, has asked for permission to offload all crew and send them into quarantine on base at Guam.
Neither the Pentagon nor President Trump was able to provide any specifics on how or when the quarantine might take place in order to protect its operational security.
There’s no reason to provide countries hostile to American interests, like China where this virus originated, with that kind of information. Additionally, other countries like North Korea and Iran may also try to exploit a major US weakness.
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