March 3: Esper warns commanders not to "surprise" Trump on COVID and demands decisions be routed through Pentagon.
March 31: 100+ sailors infected on a carrier as their captain pleads with Pentagon for support.
This is not coincidental. Failure to prepare is a choice.
March 31: 100+ sailors infected on a carrier as their captain pleads with Pentagon for support.
This is not coincidental. Failure to prepare is a choice.
The captain's letter is a stunning read. Everything in here was predictable - and should have been predicted - the moment we saw what happened on the cruise ship(s).
The risk of rapid spread in enclosed spaces once the virus' presence is confirmed:
The risk of rapid spread in enclosed spaces once the virus' presence is confirmed:
The inability to meaningfully isolate or quarantine people:
"The environment most conducive to the spread of the disease is the environment the crew of the TR is in *right now*"
"The environment most conducive to the spread of the disease is the environment the crew of the TR is in *right now*"
The captain even notes that this tracked with the experience on the Diamond Princess - but is likely to be worse on a warship:
The failure of DoD to anticipate and provide viable guidance for this exact scenario is stunning.
But it is in keeping with a federal response that has consistently placed political optics ahead of public health preparedness.
Full letter here: assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6821…
But it is in keeping with a federal response that has consistently placed political optics ahead of public health preparedness.
Full letter here: assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6821…
Addendum. Esper has not read the letter.
About how the biggest crisis in the world.
Has essentially taken out a US warship.
And its captain is desperate for guidance and support.
And Esper hasn't read it.
Amazing.
About how the biggest crisis in the world.
Has essentially taken out a US warship.
And its captain is desperate for guidance and support.
And Esper hasn't read it.
Amazing.
