WEBVTT 00:02.750 --> 00:04.255 - Is this how you wanted us? 00:04.255 --> 00:05.233 On this one? 00:05.233 --> 00:06.066 Did you want me on that one? 00:06.066 --> 00:06.899 - This one, sir. 00:08.022 --> 00:09.046 Gentlemen, just come over this way. 00:09.046 --> 00:10.480 - Sorry. 00:10.480 --> 00:11.480 What's that? 00:12.553 --> 00:13.803 So, that's the. 00:15.687 --> 00:16.520 - The right answers. 00:16.520 --> 00:17.933 - What's that, who wants to be a millionaire? 00:19.390 --> 00:21.290 - It's running a lot better right now. 00:22.350 --> 00:23.183 - Okay. 00:24.040 --> 00:26.610 Look do we have folks on the phone, too? 00:26.610 --> 00:27.620 Is that right? 00:27.620 --> 00:29.513 Okay, so, what I'll do is, 00:29.513 --> 00:30.973 for all the folks on the phone, 00:30.973 --> 00:32.950 this is Ryan McCarthy, Secretary of the Army. 00:32.950 --> 00:33.857 I'm here with General James McConville, 00:33.857 --> 00:35.360 our Chief of Staff. 00:35.360 --> 00:36.757 Sergeant Major of the Army Tony Grinston, 00:36.757 --> 00:38.430 Lieutenant General Scotty Dingle, 00:38.430 --> 00:39.343 Surgeon General of the Army, 00:39.343 --> 00:41.050 Lieutenant General Todd Semonite, 00:41.050 --> 00:42.292 Chief of Corps of Engineers, 00:42.292 --> 00:43.639 and Lieutenant General Charlie Flynn, 00:43.639 --> 00:46.500 Director of Operations and Strategic Plans, 00:46.500 --> 00:47.560 Department of the Army. 00:47.560 --> 00:51.460 And I'll start off with some opening comments 00:51.460 --> 00:54.760 and then we'll just, open up Q&A 00:54.760 --> 00:56.960 to answer any of your questions. 00:56.960 --> 01:00.510 We gotta get out of here no later than about 16:00 01:00.510 --> 01:03.090 and get back to the office. 01:03.090 --> 01:04.700 With that let me just make a couple of remarks. 01:04.700 --> 01:05.800 So, thanks for coming. 01:07.670 --> 01:09.070 We are trying to bring an update 01:09.070 --> 01:11.730 on the COVID-19 response efforts 01:11.730 --> 01:14.910 to protect our people, maintain mission readiness, 01:14.910 --> 01:17.012 and support the whole of government effort. 01:17.012 --> 01:20.194 We plan to provide these updates as routinely as we can. 01:20.194 --> 01:23.720 We'll just work out a rhythm that's appropriate. 01:23.720 --> 01:25.550 Our goal is to be as transparent as possible 01:25.550 --> 01:27.280 and keep an open line of communication 01:27.280 --> 01:29.220 about what the Army's doing to meet the intent 01:29.220 --> 01:31.570 of the Secretary of Defense and the President. 01:31.570 --> 01:34.032 As of 19:00 on 19 March, 01:34.032 --> 01:37.673 currently the U.S. Army has 45 cases. 01:37.673 --> 01:42.056 This number includes 21 soldiers, six DA civilians, 01:42.056 --> 01:45.962 eight family members, and 10 contractors. 01:45.962 --> 01:48.084 Responding in times of crisis, 01:48.084 --> 01:50.557 helping restore peace in times of chaos, 01:50.557 --> 01:54.639 and organizing against a threat is what the Army does best. 01:54.639 --> 01:59.496 We have 191,000 soldiers operating on missions worldwide 01:59.496 --> 02:01.730 and must preserve our ability 02:01.730 --> 02:04.000 to meet the needs of the nation. 02:04.000 --> 02:06.300 This means that we are ensuring that overseas, 02:07.210 --> 02:08.820 those overseas including their unique 02:08.820 --> 02:12.070 geographic constraints and operational considerations 02:12.070 --> 02:13.470 for force health protection. 02:14.730 --> 02:16.997 We are altering exercises, training, 02:16.997 --> 02:18.840 and our current day-to-day operations 02:18.840 --> 02:20.980 to ensure safety for all. 02:20.980 --> 02:23.160 To meet the intent of the Secretary of Defense, 02:23.160 --> 02:26.150 the Army is aligned against three lines of effort, 02:26.150 --> 02:28.593 prevent, detect, and treat. 02:29.590 --> 02:31.080 To prevent the spread of virus, 02:31.080 --> 02:33.550 we must adhere to the social distancing 02:33.550 --> 02:35.150 guidelines from the CDC 02:35.150 --> 02:37.523 such as quarantine and hand washing. 02:37.523 --> 02:39.690 The Army is a people organization. 02:39.690 --> 02:41.734 We're used to eating together, 02:41.734 --> 02:43.696 working out in the same areas, 02:43.696 --> 02:45.973 and being in horseshoe formations. 02:46.850 --> 02:48.933 Leaders, we must change our behavior 02:48.933 --> 02:51.593 and prevent the spread of the virus. 02:51.593 --> 02:54.803 This isn't forever but it's the reality of now. 02:55.690 --> 02:57.890 We look to examples of General Roger Cloutier 02:57.890 --> 02:59.170 commanding in Italy 02:59.170 --> 03:01.720 and General Abrams commanding in Korea 03:01.720 --> 03:04.330 who've effectively stopped the virus from spreading 03:04.330 --> 03:07.890 by taking proper and aggressive measures. 03:07.890 --> 03:10.341 We could not be more proud of their actions. 03:10.341 --> 03:12.136 We have world-class scientists 03:12.136 --> 03:15.040 that are working on the coronavirus vaccines 03:15.040 --> 03:18.237 such as Dr. Nelson Michael and Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, 03:18.237 --> 03:20.935 who are all former colleagues of Dr. Fauchi and Dr. Redfield 03:20.935 --> 03:23.350 which helps bring tremendous collaboration 03:23.350 --> 03:25.120 to all of our efforts. 03:25.120 --> 03:26.010 Our organizations, 03:26.010 --> 03:28.040 such as the Medical Research and Development Command 03:28.040 --> 03:30.923 are rapidly researching and experimenting with a vaccine 03:30.923 --> 03:34.483 and currently in tests in small and large animal models. 03:35.380 --> 03:37.660 The Army is collaborating with the private sector 03:37.660 --> 03:41.009 and other government entities on five tracks of the vaccine 03:41.009 --> 03:43.600 with two dozen candidates, 03:43.600 --> 03:45.923 some that are heading towards human testing. 03:47.900 --> 03:50.290 We need to compile as much extensive information 03:50.290 --> 03:53.737 as possible to combat this current virus. 03:53.737 --> 03:56.520 On the detection front, our organization, 03:56.520 --> 03:58.480 in concert with external entities, 03:58.480 --> 04:01.360 are working rapidly to increase the throughput of testing. 04:01.360 --> 04:02.540 With a widened aperture, 04:02.540 --> 04:05.000 we can test our force at a higher rate. 04:05.000 --> 04:07.060 The Army has nine medical treatment facilities 04:07.060 --> 04:08.824 with clinical laboratories certified 04:08.824 --> 04:11.670 to conduct COVID-19 testing. 04:11.670 --> 04:13.160 Our surge capacity will increase 04:13.160 --> 04:15.300 because they're working supplemental funding 04:15.300 --> 04:17.750 and the utilization of the Defense Production Act. 04:17.750 --> 04:20.108 Today we are currently at 810 samples to date 04:20.108 --> 04:24.280 and have concepts in place to get us north of 16,000 per day 04:24.280 --> 04:26.994 as we procure additional instrumentation. 04:26.994 --> 04:28.800 For the treat line of effort, 04:28.800 --> 04:29.950 the Army Corps of Engineers 04:29.950 --> 04:32.381 is working with state governments in 13 States 04:32.381 --> 04:35.200 and will reach 18 by this evening 04:35.200 --> 04:37.313 to provide planning and concept development 04:37.313 --> 04:40.321 on behalf of FEMA to increase bed space 04:40.321 --> 04:42.230 and support augmentation 04:42.230 --> 04:43.853 and enhance medical response. 04:44.720 --> 04:47.030 In addition, installation hospitals 04:47.030 --> 04:48.940 are recalibrating screening protocols 04:48.940 --> 04:51.530 to be able to rapidly assess and treat patients 04:51.530 --> 04:53.370 while working towards increasing capacity 04:53.370 --> 04:56.680 for larger volumes of infections if needed. 04:56.680 --> 05:00.258 We have received the be prepared mission to respond 05:00.258 --> 05:01.580 and should the need arise 05:01.580 --> 05:04.563 to surge additional medical support, we are ready. 05:05.530 --> 05:07.080 Additionally, we're working through 05:07.080 --> 05:08.560 the second and third order effects 05:08.560 --> 05:10.114 of the impact COVID-19 05:10.114 --> 05:12.970 and the subsequent responses. 05:12.970 --> 05:14.754 Realize you don't have to be infected 05:14.754 --> 05:16.883 to be affected by the virus 05:16.883 --> 05:18.440 and we understand the strain that 05:18.440 --> 05:20.043 comes with decisions being made. 05:20.900 --> 05:22.230 To ease some of the burden, 05:22.230 --> 05:24.480 we are reevaluating policies in place 05:24.480 --> 05:27.410 that don't make sense in time of a national crisis. 05:27.410 --> 05:31.030 These range from adjusting exercises of the Defender series 05:31.030 --> 05:32.670 and combat training center rotations, 05:32.670 --> 05:34.890 combat training center rotations, 05:34.890 --> 05:37.305 delaying PCS moves and providing assistance 05:37.305 --> 05:40.340 in unanticipated cost to families. 05:40.340 --> 05:42.380 This includes evolving of how we recruit, 05:42.380 --> 05:44.640 moving to a virtual-based platform, 05:44.640 --> 05:47.000 turning to a virtual learning for educational institutions 05:47.000 --> 05:49.621 such as West Point and the Army War College 05:49.621 --> 05:51.730 and adopting an information age approach 05:51.730 --> 05:54.741 for milestone events such as basic training graduations 05:54.741 --> 05:57.570 so that family and friends can still celebrate 05:57.570 --> 06:00.230 with our newest members of the formation. 06:00.230 --> 06:02.550 The health protection of our force and our families, 06:02.550 --> 06:04.110 coupled with our ability to support 06:04.110 --> 06:05.790 the state and local governments, 06:05.790 --> 06:07.190 creates the conditions to suppress 06:07.190 --> 06:08.993 and defeat the COVID-19 virus. 06:10.130 --> 06:11.550 Finally, I'd like to point out today 06:11.550 --> 06:14.130 that the Army, in a joint effort with the Navy, 06:14.130 --> 06:16.240 conducted a successful long-range flight 06:16.240 --> 06:18.660 of a hypersonic glide body missile. 06:18.660 --> 06:20.120 This is a significant milestone 06:20.120 --> 06:23.915 for our number one priority, long-range precision fires 06:23.915 --> 06:26.070 and a true testament that the Army's 06:26.070 --> 06:28.989 prepared to fight today across a range of threats 06:28.989 --> 06:32.880 from adversarial actors to strands of a pandemic. 06:32.880 --> 06:34.456 We are incredibly proud of the force 06:34.456 --> 06:36.423 and we're happy to take your questions. 06:37.270 --> 06:38.849 - Okay, so, Bob will hit you first 06:38.849 --> 06:40.823 and then we'll go to. 06:40.823 --> 06:43.390 - Thank you, for either of you gentlemen, 06:43.390 --> 06:45.980 a narrow question then a bit of a broader one. 06:45.980 --> 06:48.870 Did you say Mr. Secretary that you're moving 06:48.870 --> 06:51.670 to virtual recruiting only? 06:51.670 --> 06:53.830 In other words, are you closing recruiting stations, 06:53.830 --> 06:57.060 physical recruiting face-to-face recruiting? 06:57.060 --> 06:58.193 - [McCarthy] You want to take that one, Chief? 06:58.193 --> 06:59.970 - Yes, we are, we are going 06:59.970 --> 07:03.990 to basically virtual recruiting. 07:03.990 --> 07:07.470 Much of that is done on social media 07:07.470 --> 07:10.410 and that allows us to protect our soldiers 07:10.410 --> 07:12.550 and also protect the new recruits. 07:12.550 --> 07:14.162 So, yes, we are. 07:14.162 --> 07:15.340 - [Bob] So, you're closing a recruiting stations? 07:15.340 --> 07:16.173 - Yes, we are. 07:16.173 --> 07:19.284 - As of today or? 07:19.284 --> 07:21.710 - It's happening right now as we speak. 07:21.710 --> 07:24.390 I can't attest to that every recruiting station 07:24.390 --> 07:27.600 but that is what we are doing over this week 07:29.037 --> 07:30.970 and over the next couple days, that's what you'll see. 07:30.970 --> 07:35.100 But we are moving to I would say virtual recruiting. 07:35.100 --> 07:36.420 - Okay. 07:36.420 --> 07:37.410 And I have a bit of a broader question for, 07:37.410 --> 07:39.430 again, maybe for the Secretary. 07:39.430 --> 07:41.570 You know the experts say that you can anticipate 07:41.570 --> 07:45.350 that the spread of the virus will only accelerate 07:45.350 --> 07:48.630 and is likely to of course not exclude the military. 07:48.630 --> 07:51.680 So, I'm wondering what sort of worst-case scenario 07:51.680 --> 07:53.500 you foresee for the Army in terms 07:53.500 --> 07:56.260 of how you will have to adjust. 07:56.260 --> 07:58.560 - You know, Bob, we're taking this day to day. 07:59.810 --> 08:01.670 A lot of this is looking at the trend data 08:01.670 --> 08:03.970 just to how great it will go. 08:03.970 --> 08:05.100 The things that we've learned 08:05.100 --> 08:07.291 from General Abrams in Korea 08:07.291 --> 08:11.835 and General Cloutier in Italy is create these safety bubbles 08:11.835 --> 08:14.825 where you keep unit formations intact 08:14.825 --> 08:18.200 and then ultimately see if you can ride this out, 08:18.200 --> 08:20.070 was this going to be a seasonal flu, 08:20.070 --> 08:22.840 will it kind of reverberate or boomerang in the fall? 08:22.840 --> 08:25.230 So, we're keeping the force healthy 08:25.230 --> 08:29.030 and formations intact and adjust as we learn more. 08:29.030 --> 08:30.270 - You don't have a specific kind 08:30.270 --> 08:32.570 of worst-case situation that you're planning for? 08:32.570 --> 08:34.420 - Well, we're learning every day right now 08:34.420 --> 08:37.170 so, I think we're taking a look at some options 08:37.170 --> 08:39.275 but we need to collect more data. 08:39.275 --> 08:40.890 Testing is key. 08:40.890 --> 08:42.990 - And I would just add to the Secretary, 08:42.990 --> 08:47.030 what we found both in Korea and in Italy 08:47.030 --> 08:49.530 is very strong measures where we're screening, 08:49.530 --> 08:51.680 where we're separating, 08:51.680 --> 08:53.260 where we're, you know, really washing our hands 08:53.260 --> 08:54.550 and then we're quarantined as soon 08:54.550 --> 08:56.250 as anyone cause up with any type of sign 08:56.250 --> 08:57.083 that they may be infected, 08:57.083 --> 08:59.528 it's been very effective in those two areas. 08:59.528 --> 09:00.433 - [Bob] Thank you. 09:00.433 --> 09:02.360 - We're gonna go to Barbara. 09:02.360 --> 09:03.193 - [Barbara] I think my question, sir, 09:03.193 --> 09:06.613 for the Surgeon General and General Semonite if I may. 09:08.770 --> 09:10.199 - Go ahead. 09:10.199 --> 09:11.700 - [Barbara] Can you step to the microphone possibly? 09:11.700 --> 09:12.533 - Sure. 09:18.690 --> 09:19.523 - Thank you. 09:23.537 --> 09:24.370 For the Surgeon General, 09:24.370 --> 09:27.020 my first two questions are 09:27.020 --> 09:28.990 can you tell us how many Army personnel 09:28.990 --> 09:31.590 are in fact in isolation or quarantine 09:31.590 --> 09:33.360 or however you define it, 09:33.360 --> 09:36.783 how many people are in that status of isolation? 09:37.970 --> 09:39.120 If you happen to know, 09:39.120 --> 09:41.930 how many you're awaiting test results on? 09:41.930 --> 09:44.480 We have all seen this medical data emerge 09:44.480 --> 09:47.740 that Dr. Birx is talking about extensively 09:47.740 --> 09:50.820 about younger people may be asymptomatic 09:50.820 --> 09:54.150 but more potentially susceptible to becoming ill. 09:54.150 --> 09:56.490 I am wondering if that makes you 09:56.490 --> 09:59.993 rethink your calculations. 10:01.939 --> 10:04.240 The assumption going in, young, healthy force, 10:04.240 --> 10:07.290 does any of this new medical data make you rethink that? 10:07.290 --> 10:09.440 And for the Army Corps, 10:09.440 --> 10:10.870 if you could just bring us up to date 10:10.870 --> 10:14.373 on your discussions with Governor Cuomo in New York please? 10:16.940 --> 10:20.385 - So, right now we have a few soldiers 10:20.385 --> 10:23.993 actually in our medical treatment facilities. 10:24.870 --> 10:27.943 The exact number as of yesterday was eight. 10:28.940 --> 10:30.830 This afternoon it could go higher, 10:30.830 --> 10:34.860 but, again, those that we are, 10:34.860 --> 10:36.600 the soldiers that have been 10:36.600 --> 10:38.763 identified as positive with COVID, 10:39.670 --> 10:42.200 they are in proper treatment and care 10:42.200 --> 10:44.390 in our medical treatment facilities. 10:44.390 --> 10:47.300 As far as hitting the Army and our soldiers 10:47.300 --> 10:50.190 which is a younger age, you are absolutely correct, 10:50.190 --> 10:52.510 what we've done is we've conducted 10:52.510 --> 10:54.080 and have implemented our pandemic 10:54.080 --> 10:56.240 emergency preparedness plans 10:56.240 --> 10:59.850 and so we are prepared for a increased wave. 10:59.850 --> 11:01.950 Every medical treatment facility, 11:01.950 --> 11:03.790 every installation commander, 11:03.790 --> 11:05.840 has come together and we have what we call 11:05.840 --> 11:07.900 our pandemic emergency preparedness plans 11:07.900 --> 11:10.500 which expand in worst case scenarios 11:10.500 --> 11:12.330 if more of our soldiers get impacted 11:12.330 --> 11:14.430 or as well as our beneficiary population. 11:14.430 --> 11:16.196 - Could you say how many personnel 11:16.196 --> 11:19.380 are in some, aside from the positives, 11:19.380 --> 11:22.090 how many are in some kind of, you know, 11:22.090 --> 11:25.750 presumptive protected isolation or quarantine 11:25.750 --> 11:28.223 until they pass this 14-day period? 11:29.758 --> 11:31.240 - So, you're talking like troops 11:31.240 --> 11:33.920 coming from overseas and then they? 11:33.920 --> 11:36.661 - So, Barbara, let me, I would just say this, 11:36.661 --> 11:38.770 because the numbers change every day. 11:38.770 --> 11:40.853 Every senior commander. 11:41.744 --> 11:44.420 I don't have a number because it changes hourly. 11:44.420 --> 11:46.850 So, what I would express to you 11:46.850 --> 11:50.050 is every senior commander on his installation 11:50.050 --> 11:52.414 back here in the continental United States 11:52.414 --> 11:56.039 has to create isolation facilities 11:56.039 --> 11:58.540 and self quarantine facilities. 11:58.540 --> 12:02.990 So, the better part of about seven to 10 days ago, 12:02.990 --> 12:04.960 senior commanders had to start doing that. 12:04.960 --> 12:08.360 So, you got to go find those facilities, 12:08.360 --> 12:09.540 some are empty barracks, 12:09.540 --> 12:12.300 some are you know other facilities 12:12.300 --> 12:14.300 on each of these installations 12:14.300 --> 12:17.176 so that when people do come back from overseas 12:17.176 --> 12:20.040 because we do have people returning from overseas, 12:20.040 --> 12:24.380 that they can go to self quarantine if they exhibit symptoms 12:25.330 --> 12:28.240 and then we can keep some units together 12:28.240 --> 12:30.320 so they go to the same dining facility, 12:30.320 --> 12:31.810 they're in the same location 12:32.910 --> 12:35.320 but they're isolated from the general population, 12:35.320 --> 12:37.160 both off post and on post. 12:37.160 --> 12:38.740 - Can we get a quick update on New York? 12:38.740 --> 12:39.573 - Sure, sure. 12:42.940 --> 12:45.160 So, Barbara before I talk about a specific state, 12:45.160 --> 12:46.740 I think it's important to kind of lay out 12:46.740 --> 12:48.540 our concept here because you've not heard this 12:48.540 --> 12:49.480 and we're gonna talk about this 12:49.480 --> 12:51.050 a lot probably in the next couple weeks. 12:51.050 --> 12:52.400 First of all, the Corps of Engineers 12:52.400 --> 12:53.560 obviously works for DOD 12:53.560 --> 12:54.860 and anything we need to do there 12:54.860 --> 12:57.040 but we also here are actually representing FEMA 12:57.040 --> 12:58.650 under direct mission assignments 12:58.650 --> 13:00.070 that states send to FEMA 13:00.070 --> 13:02.830 and then send back down to me for tasker's. 13:02.830 --> 13:05.070 This is an unbelievably complicated problem 13:05.070 --> 13:06.280 and there's no way we're going to be able 13:06.280 --> 13:07.960 to do this with a complicated solution. 13:07.960 --> 13:09.560 We need something super simple. 13:09.560 --> 13:12.190 So, our concept here is a standard design. 13:12.190 --> 13:13.530 This is the approved design 13:13.530 --> 13:15.180 that's already been through HHS, 13:15.180 --> 13:17.720 briefed the members of the White House and through FEMA. 13:17.720 --> 13:19.330 What we want to do is we want to go 13:19.330 --> 13:21.544 into existing facilities primarily, 13:21.544 --> 13:23.030 places that are out there, 13:23.030 --> 13:24.890 I'm mainly gonna talk and make it simple, 13:24.890 --> 13:27.440 hotels, college dormitories, 13:27.440 --> 13:28.940 and perhaps large spaces. 13:28.940 --> 13:30.130 So, I'll give you an example 13:30.130 --> 13:32.270 of a small room and a large room. 13:32.270 --> 13:33.760 What we need to do is we need to go into, 13:33.760 --> 13:35.340 these hotels are empty, 13:35.340 --> 13:36.640 the people don't have jobs. 13:36.640 --> 13:38.360 We would go in and cut a contract 13:38.360 --> 13:41.880 to be able to have the state set up a lease 13:41.880 --> 13:43.290 with that particular facility 13:43.290 --> 13:45.380 and then we would then take the building over 13:45.380 --> 13:47.560 in a period of exceptionally short amount of days 13:47.560 --> 13:51.880 and we would go in and turn this into an ICU-like facility. 13:51.880 --> 13:53.560 So, there's really four different phases. 13:53.560 --> 13:54.821 The state has to nominate 13:54.821 --> 13:57.690 the facilities in a prioritized order 13:57.690 --> 13:59.710 and I'll talk about Governor Cuomo in a minute. 13:59.710 --> 14:02.230 Number two is the Corps of Engineers has to come in 14:02.230 --> 14:04.120 and to be able to modify that facility. 14:04.120 --> 14:06.859 And we can go into more details and other questions 14:06.859 --> 14:09.710 but it goes back to be able to change the pressure 14:09.710 --> 14:11.394 in certain hotel rooms to be able 14:11.394 --> 14:13.930 to have a negative pressure in a hotel room. 14:13.930 --> 14:15.260 The third thing is then you've got 14:15.260 --> 14:17.120 to be able to put the supplies in that. 14:17.120 --> 14:20.238 And FEMA working with HHS has come up with a list 14:20.238 --> 14:22.213 that every single hotel room would get 14:22.213 --> 14:23.840 the same amount of supplies. 14:23.840 --> 14:25.380 It would just go in and already be there. 14:25.380 --> 14:28.150 And then the fourth step is to be able to staff it. 14:28.150 --> 14:29.990 This has to be a state job, 14:29.990 --> 14:31.650 the state has to put the people in there, 14:31.650 --> 14:32.930 you got to clean it and train it, 14:32.930 --> 14:34.050 and therefore, just think, 14:34.050 --> 14:35.370 you've all been in hotels, 14:35.370 --> 14:37.870 think of the second floor of a standard hotel. 14:37.870 --> 14:40.041 The rooms would be like a hotel room 14:40.041 --> 14:42.840 and then we would build nurses stations in the halls, 14:42.840 --> 14:44.248 we would have all of the equipment, 14:44.248 --> 14:46.420 wireless going into the nurse's stations 14:46.420 --> 14:48.480 so you could monitor how it all is gonna work. 14:48.480 --> 14:50.840 Now, let me correlate this back to New York. 14:50.840 --> 14:53.190 We want to use New York as this standard setter 14:53.190 --> 14:55.010 and when I met with Governor Cuomo 14:55.010 --> 14:56.730 he said right up front what can I do? 14:56.730 --> 14:58.280 And I said the biggest thing you need to do 14:58.280 --> 14:59.920 is start identifying facilities 14:59.920 --> 15:01.550 and he said how fast do you need them? 15:01.550 --> 15:02.880 I said I need one tonight, 15:02.880 --> 15:04.540 I need three by tomorrow night. 15:04.540 --> 15:07.440 So, we actually got turned on by the governor, 15:07.440 --> 15:09.090 we got money from FEMA to go 15:09.090 --> 15:11.300 into buildings on Tuesday night. 15:11.300 --> 15:12.870 We did the Javits Center yesterday 15:12.870 --> 15:15.300 and we were into some of the SUNY schools yesterday. 15:15.300 --> 15:18.260 Today my engineers were walking through 10 other buildings, 15:18.260 --> 15:20.630 five of those are hotel-like capabilities 15:20.630 --> 15:22.730 and five of those are open spaces 15:22.730 --> 15:24.640 to be able to continue to be able to figure out 15:24.640 --> 15:25.910 what does right look like 15:25.910 --> 15:27.579 and then we give this design to a contractor 15:27.579 --> 15:30.240 and then he site adapts that design. 15:30.240 --> 15:32.120 If it's a hotel with four floors, 15:32.120 --> 15:33.310 they change it a little bit different. 15:33.310 --> 15:34.760 If it's got central air, we change. 15:34.760 --> 15:35.950 But the bottom line is we've got 15:35.950 --> 15:37.490 to do something very, very quick. 15:37.490 --> 15:38.840 Most of the governor's are saying 15:38.840 --> 15:41.120 that their peak is somewhere around the middle of April 15:41.120 --> 15:43.570 so this is not take all the time in the world to do it, 15:43.570 --> 15:45.080 this is what is just barely 15:45.080 --> 15:46.970 the most important things we have to do 15:46.970 --> 15:48.850 and to be able to come up with a good enough solution? 15:48.850 --> 15:49.683 And I'll leave it there 15:49.683 --> 15:51.240 and we can talk later in more detail. 15:51.240 --> 15:53.770 - Very briefly, do you have the money you need to do this? 15:53.770 --> 15:55.240 - Right now money is not a problem at all. 15:55.240 --> 15:57.230 FEMA has given us the capability 15:57.230 --> 15:59.940 and the Secretary talked about the 13 other states. 15:59.940 --> 16:00.810 That's why we're there, 16:00.810 --> 16:02.480 we're asking those governor's tonight, 16:02.480 --> 16:03.730 what are your priorities? 16:03.730 --> 16:04.770 I'm in 50 states. 16:04.770 --> 16:07.050 My guys are, we can go into other states right now 16:07.050 --> 16:08.210 and continue to be these same 16:08.210 --> 16:10.020 type assessments as we need to. 16:10.020 --> 16:11.793 And I'll defer back to the Secretary. 16:12.680 --> 16:13.820 - I'm gonna take a couple from online 16:13.820 --> 16:14.730 and then I'll get back in person. 16:14.730 --> 16:16.070 - [Reporter] Want to get back to the testing. 16:16.070 --> 16:18.829 Mr. Secretary you talked about 810 samples so far 16:18.829 --> 16:21.130 that these nine treatment facilities 16:21.130 --> 16:23.600 you could get to 16,000 per day. 16:23.600 --> 16:25.080 - Yes, sir. 16:25.080 --> 16:28.010 - Would that be for the Army and dependents, 16:28.010 --> 16:29.740 would that be for civilians? 16:29.740 --> 16:31.370 I mean who would be able to? 16:31.370 --> 16:32.790 - So, there's a couple things 16:32.790 --> 16:35.895 that we're talking about creating the tests capability 16:35.895 --> 16:37.920 to be able to run a test through a machine. 16:37.920 --> 16:40.395 Now the labs that I referenced before, 16:40.395 --> 16:42.440 you have the scientific backbone 16:42.440 --> 16:44.748 to be able to take that positive test out 16:44.748 --> 16:47.899 and extract all of the information required. 16:47.899 --> 16:50.578 So, General Dingle can talk specifically about this 16:50.578 --> 16:52.040 but there's, you know, 16:52.040 --> 16:53.500 there's a lot of different pieces 16:53.500 --> 16:55.070 throughout the test continuum. 16:55.070 --> 16:57.050 Some of this is just the actual machines 16:57.050 --> 16:59.000 where you plug the sample in 16:59.000 --> 17:02.530 and in 45 minutes it computes a positive or a negative. 17:02.530 --> 17:04.315 So, we're gonna buy more machines 17:04.315 --> 17:06.790 and then you'll also have just a swab, 17:06.790 --> 17:08.810 first it starts with a swab in your nose and your throat 17:08.810 --> 17:10.360 then you put it in the machine. 17:10.360 --> 17:11.880 The machine computes positive or negative 17:11.880 --> 17:13.400 but then there's a series of scientific 17:13.400 --> 17:14.790 steps that go after that. 17:14.790 --> 17:16.940 Obviously we defer to either of the medical professionals. 17:16.940 --> 17:19.788 There are there are pieces along this supply chain 17:19.788 --> 17:22.180 that the Medical Research and Development Command 17:22.180 --> 17:25.430 are going to help procure to increase capacity. 17:25.430 --> 17:27.450 As Secretary Esper said the other day 17:27.450 --> 17:28.743 that the Department of Defense will 17:28.743 --> 17:31.279 over and above taking care of the force 17:31.279 --> 17:34.260 to be able to support the civilian population. 17:34.260 --> 17:36.601 So, it's as much as increasing our stocks 17:36.601 --> 17:39.840 as well as supporting from a national perspective. 17:39.840 --> 17:41.350 General Dingle, you want to add anything there? 17:41.350 --> 17:42.896 - How long is it gonna take 'til you get 17:42.896 --> 17:44.480 to 16,000 per day ballpark? 17:44.480 --> 17:47.790 - It depends, hopefully within the next three weeks. 17:47.790 --> 17:50.300 However, we currently have the capability 17:50.300 --> 17:51.680 at nine medical centers, 17:51.680 --> 17:53.960 those nine medical centers we are adding 17:53.960 --> 17:57.270 the increased capability by adding a kit to it, 17:57.270 --> 17:58.800 or a fusion piece to it. 17:58.800 --> 18:01.230 That's gonna increase output tremendously 18:01.230 --> 18:02.940 and then in addition to that 18:02.940 --> 18:04.633 we have our small medical treatment facilities 18:04.633 --> 18:06.525 that we're looking at expanding 18:06.525 --> 18:08.630 and getting that capability there also. 18:08.630 --> 18:11.670 Hopefully within the next 30 days we'll have that also. 18:11.670 --> 18:13.160 - Right, so we're gonna go on the phone lines. 18:13.160 --> 18:14.850 We got Ashley Roque from Jane's. 18:14.850 --> 18:15.683 Ashley. 18:17.060 --> 18:19.320 - [Ashley] Yes, hi, thank you guys for doing this. 18:19.320 --> 18:21.120 I had a two-part question. 18:21.120 --> 18:22.780 One, I wanted to hear what impact 18:22.780 --> 18:24.372 you're hearing from industry 18:24.372 --> 18:26.816 that the current crisis is gonna impact 18:26.816 --> 18:29.210 the manufacturing and production lines, 18:29.210 --> 18:30.970 challenges, concerns, delays. 18:30.970 --> 18:33.890 And then also today after the White House press conference 18:33.890 --> 18:35.430 it's still unclear if the President 18:35.430 --> 18:37.980 has invoked the Defense Production Act. 18:37.980 --> 18:39.720 However, are you in discussions 18:39.720 --> 18:41.630 with the defense industrial base 18:41.630 --> 18:44.203 of producing medical equipment at this time? 18:45.510 --> 18:47.110 - Just a couple questions there. 18:49.419 --> 18:50.773 We're working with the defense industrial base 18:50.773 --> 18:54.260 as well as Congress about the funding 18:54.260 --> 18:57.650 as well as just the increase of capability. 18:57.650 --> 18:59.497 That's everything from just procuring 18:59.497 --> 19:02.256 and to continue the development of weapon systems 19:02.256 --> 19:04.550 that we have on contracts, 19:04.550 --> 19:06.490 so how can you work out contractually? 19:06.490 --> 19:09.360 Some states are not going back to work like Pennsylvania 19:09.360 --> 19:12.050 and some others were working through issues there 19:12.050 --> 19:13.324 and I'll have to work with states, 19:13.324 --> 19:15.170 potentially unions and others, 19:15.170 --> 19:16.920 so that's work that's ongoing. 19:16.920 --> 19:19.230 With respect to the Defense Production Act 19:19.230 --> 19:22.130 for medical supplies those are conversations 19:22.130 --> 19:23.768 that are underway but, you know, 19:23.768 --> 19:26.500 there's elements of this where you can turn 19:26.500 --> 19:29.030 to a supplier and say fill the orders 19:29.030 --> 19:32.400 for, you know, the materials associated 19:32.400 --> 19:34.740 for another manufacturer to make it at scale 19:34.740 --> 19:37.240 and then there's actually the more extreme measure 19:37.240 --> 19:39.090 of turning to elements of American industry 19:39.090 --> 19:42.370 and asking them to make a product specific. 19:42.370 --> 19:44.520 So, they're going through a lot 19:44.520 --> 19:46.737 of the administrative work associated with that 19:46.737 --> 19:48.587 and you'll hear a lot more here soon. 19:49.650 --> 19:51.800 - Okay, so, we're gonna go to David Martin. 19:51.800 --> 19:52.633 - Is he on the phone? 19:52.633 --> 19:53.466 - He is, sir. 19:55.000 --> 19:58.720 - [David] Yeah, two separate questions. 19:58.720 --> 20:02.327 One, if you've stopped the virtual recruiting 20:02.327 --> 20:07.110 how close are you to stopping basic training? 20:07.110 --> 20:08.704 And I'm sorry, if you've stopped, 20:08.704 --> 20:11.010 you've closed your recruiting stations, 20:11.010 --> 20:13.893 how close are you to stopping basic training? 20:15.317 --> 20:17.750 And two, in the timeline that 20:17.750 --> 20:21.330 was just described for New York 20:21.330 --> 20:25.193 in terms of renovating these existing buildings, 20:27.270 --> 20:31.360 how many days are we talking about before 20:31.360 --> 20:34.160 a contract is led to a contractor 20:34.160 --> 20:36.843 to do the actual work and the work begins? 20:37.940 --> 20:39.358 - Well, let me let me take the first one 20:39.358 --> 20:42.310 on basic training or initial military training. 20:42.310 --> 20:44.514 We are continuing to send soldiers 20:44.514 --> 20:46.430 to initial military training. 20:46.430 --> 20:50.129 We have put extensive procedures in place. 20:50.129 --> 20:52.050 It starts at the state 20:52.050 --> 20:53.470 and does an assessment of where 20:53.470 --> 20:57.391 the state is as far as the COVID-19 virus, 20:57.391 --> 20:59.870 they are screened in the state 20:59.870 --> 21:02.071 and then they move to the military 21:02.071 --> 21:05.490 entrance processing centers. 21:05.490 --> 21:07.530 And, again, they are screened there again 21:07.530 --> 21:09.180 making sure there's no issues. 21:09.180 --> 21:11.394 And then they move to the sites 21:11.394 --> 21:14.410 where we actually conduct the initial military training. 21:14.410 --> 21:15.670 They are screened there again. 21:15.670 --> 21:18.540 They go into what we would call a quarantine 21:18.540 --> 21:19.940 even though they're showing no signs 21:19.940 --> 21:21.325 to make sure there's no issues 21:21.325 --> 21:24.750 and then they begin initial military training. 21:24.750 --> 21:26.270 And we have reduced the numbers. 21:26.270 --> 21:27.600 We're running about 50%. 21:27.600 --> 21:30.720 We just ran a test of that. 21:30.720 --> 21:33.130 We identified six recruits 21:33.130 --> 21:35.410 that had some type of possible symptoms 21:35.410 --> 21:37.920 and we've taken the appropriate measures 21:37.920 --> 21:38.910 to make sure that they're being 21:38.910 --> 21:41.283 taken care of for their health and welfare. 21:43.128 --> 21:45.740 - Then we'll get to General Semonite. 21:45.740 --> 21:46.760 - So, to answer your question, 21:46.760 --> 21:48.800 right now we're with help from the HHS 21:48.800 --> 21:50.730 we're calculating what the curves are 21:50.730 --> 21:53.050 when they go exponential in all these key cities. 21:53.050 --> 21:54.120 And we can't do everywhere, 21:54.120 --> 21:56.580 so we're really asking for the federal government 21:56.580 --> 21:57.930 to be able to help prioritize 21:57.930 --> 21:59.640 our efforts with FEMA to be able 21:59.640 --> 22:00.880 to send us the right place. 22:00.880 --> 22:03.010 This has to be weeks, this can't be months. 22:03.010 --> 22:04.410 So, it's gonna go in, like I said. 22:04.410 --> 22:06.050 it's gonna be the good enough solution 22:06.050 --> 22:06.930 to be able to do this 22:06.930 --> 22:08.439 and it's all gonna be working concurrently 22:08.439 --> 22:10.500 but we'd like to think that we can do this 22:10.500 --> 22:13.170 in three to four weeks and try to go as fast as we can. 22:13.170 --> 22:14.480 Now, here's the big thing, though, 22:14.480 --> 22:15.490 what we want to do is we want 22:15.490 --> 22:16.660 to have a standard contract. 22:16.660 --> 22:18.557 We're already designing these contracts right now, 22:18.557 --> 22:20.096 we're already talking to industry. 22:20.096 --> 22:22.190 President Trump said yesterday on TV, 22:22.190 --> 22:23.260 you know, when things get going 22:23.260 --> 22:25.350 tough in America everybody rallies. 22:25.350 --> 22:27.060 So, this is when the contractor base, 22:27.060 --> 22:28.646 we need our engineering contractors 22:28.646 --> 22:30.140 to be able to step up, 22:30.140 --> 22:32.150 the hotel industry to be able to step up, 22:32.150 --> 22:35.410 and here's the critical power in this idea. 22:35.410 --> 22:36.410 What we want to do is be able 22:36.410 --> 22:38.300 to give our products to states 22:38.300 --> 22:40.120 and if states want to do this on their own 22:40.120 --> 22:41.560 and contract by themselves, 22:41.560 --> 22:42.430 we're giving you something 22:42.430 --> 22:45.800 that is an HHS validated concept 22:45.800 --> 22:47.510 and you don't have to wait on the Corps of Engineers, 22:47.510 --> 22:48.759 you can do this independently 22:48.759 --> 22:50.880 even to the point where go back and be able 22:50.880 --> 22:52.820 to try to secure that money through FEMA. 22:52.820 --> 22:55.160 So, this goes back to where we need everybody 22:55.160 --> 22:56.980 going full-bore to be able to figure out 22:56.980 --> 22:59.177 where is that bed space capacity delta there 22:59.177 --> 23:01.480 and then how can everybody pull together 23:01.480 --> 23:03.386 to be able to make this happen? 23:03.386 --> 23:05.331 - Okay, so, we're gonna do two, 23:05.331 --> 23:06.250 so, Phil go first and then Jennifer. 23:06.250 --> 23:08.420 And we'll go on the line again. 23:08.420 --> 23:11.290 - Quick one on the recruiting stations, 23:11.290 --> 23:12.123 what kind of impact do you think 23:12.123 --> 23:13.770 that closing the recruiting stations is gonna have? 23:13.770 --> 23:16.100 Is it gonna drive down recruiting pretty dramatically? 23:16.100 --> 23:17.490 Do you have any kind of sense 23:17.490 --> 23:19.600 of what impact that might have on you all? 23:19.600 --> 23:21.476 And then secondly, on this whole issue 23:21.476 --> 23:24.810 of trying to separate, isolate folks 23:24.810 --> 23:27.586 who may or may not have the coronavirus 23:27.586 --> 23:30.920 at these military facilities, on all these bases, 23:30.920 --> 23:33.220 I mean these aren't zero pressure rooms, right, 23:33.220 --> 23:34.270 or negative pressure rooms 23:34.270 --> 23:36.410 or I forgot the right terminology. 23:36.410 --> 23:38.130 So, what are you doing in those situations 23:38.130 --> 23:39.040 to make sure that people who 23:39.040 --> 23:40.390 may or may not have it 23:40.390 --> 23:42.770 aren't spreading it through the HVAC system 23:42.770 --> 23:45.180 to everybody else in that building? 23:45.180 --> 23:47.220 - Yes, so, I'll take the first one Phil 23:47.220 --> 23:49.560 and I think either General Dingle or General Flynn 23:49.560 --> 23:51.220 can answer your second one. 23:51.220 --> 23:53.666 It's all gonna depend on duration. 23:53.666 --> 23:55.070 You know, we're taking this, 23:55.070 --> 23:57.500 we're looking at this really hard over the next 15 days 23:57.500 --> 23:59.217 and were looking every day 23:59.217 --> 24:01.050 to what the experts are learning. 24:01.050 --> 24:03.000 Is this going to be a seasonal flu 24:03.000 --> 24:06.070 and then potentially boomerang in the late fall? 24:06.070 --> 24:07.860 You know, we're learning every day about this. 24:07.860 --> 24:10.420 Right now, it's a tactical almost pause 24:10.420 --> 24:12.580 but I think when you look 24:12.580 --> 24:14.050 at how we're approaching this, 24:14.050 --> 24:17.720 we've had a margin in our recruiting numbers this year. 24:17.720 --> 24:20.180 So, we're doing very well. 24:20.180 --> 24:22.565 And that, you know, knock on wood as I say that, 24:22.565 --> 24:25.230 but it's all going to depend on duration. 24:25.230 --> 24:27.461 You know, where will we be in a month? 24:27.461 --> 24:30.820 So, we're gonna watch this every day 24:30.820 --> 24:31.810 and see whether or not we can 24:31.810 --> 24:33.560 make an adjustment here downstream. 24:33.560 --> 24:35.066 Did you want to add anything? 24:35.066 --> 24:35.899 - I just want to add one thing that we're doing, 24:35.899 --> 24:37.670 some of some of these young men and women who have 24:37.670 --> 24:39.720 signed up for the military were expecting 24:39.720 --> 24:42.000 to maybe ship in the next couple of weeks 24:42.000 --> 24:44.300 and maybe because of the state they're in 24:44.300 --> 24:45.583 or they won't be able to do that, 24:45.583 --> 24:47.228 what we're looking to do for them 24:47.228 --> 24:49.810 if they're unable to ship because of this health reason, 24:49.810 --> 24:51.930 we'll bring them on the payroll so to speak, 24:51.930 --> 24:53.653 so we're actually bring them on active duty, 24:53.653 --> 24:57.150 they can stay and get ready in their community 24:57.150 --> 24:59.540 and then once the situation is much better 24:59.540 --> 25:01.320 they'll have a chance to ship. 25:01.320 --> 25:03.240 - It's just an adjustment really. 25:03.240 --> 25:04.750 So, you know, they're still gonna have 25:04.750 --> 25:07.710 heavy engagement on the digital space. 25:07.710 --> 25:09.910 Anything you want to add about how we're managing? 25:09.910 --> 25:11.720 - Two part response here. 25:11.720 --> 25:14.063 So, I'll just talk about the quarantine part. 25:15.964 --> 25:17.273 So, we've set up, as I said, 25:17.273 --> 25:18.770 each of the senior commanders 25:18.770 --> 25:21.070 have locations on their installations 25:21.070 --> 25:24.510 where they can quarantine and in that quarantine, 25:24.510 --> 25:26.160 so, if you're not symptomatic, 25:26.160 --> 25:27.210 let's just say you came back 25:27.210 --> 25:29.306 from a deployment from a level three country, 25:29.306 --> 25:33.234 you go to that quarantine space, you have no symptoms, 25:33.234 --> 25:37.875 we keep them quarantined, they go to a mess hall, 25:37.875 --> 25:40.480 they just stay together as a group. 25:40.480 --> 25:43.585 If they begin to exhibit symptoms 25:43.585 --> 25:45.400 because we test them each day, 25:45.400 --> 25:48.130 not test them, we test them, hey, how you feeling, 25:48.130 --> 25:49.121 what's your temperature? 25:49.121 --> 25:51.680 Then they go into isolation. 25:51.680 --> 25:54.320 I'll let Scotty talk about that here in a minute. 25:54.320 --> 25:57.880 And then if testing positive then there's something else. 25:57.880 --> 26:00.763 Now, back to the quarantine part. 26:01.700 --> 26:05.069 If they have no symptoms after 12 days, 26:05.069 --> 26:06.814 we're going to take a test, 26:06.814 --> 26:10.010 then on the 13th day or the 14th day when it comes back, 26:10.010 --> 26:14.700 if they're not COVID positive, then they go home. 26:14.700 --> 26:15.706 If they're COVID positive, 26:15.706 --> 26:17.640 then I'm gonna turn it over the surgeon, 26:17.640 --> 26:21.050 he'll let you know what they do with some of these. 26:21.050 --> 26:24.180 - Then simply that person will then be taken 26:24.180 --> 26:27.040 by the military treatment facility 26:27.040 --> 26:29.960 and then put in isolation. 26:29.960 --> 26:31.150 For those installations that 26:31.150 --> 26:33.050 do not have the holding capability, 26:33.050 --> 26:34.800 obviously we are linked with 26:34.800 --> 26:37.073 the local civilian hospital also. 26:41.060 --> 26:42.418 - [Jennifer] Can either of you talk about 26:42.418 --> 26:43.550 the situation at Fort Bliss? 26:43.550 --> 26:45.230 We were hearing some reports 26:45.230 --> 26:47.300 that the soldiers themselves 26:47.300 --> 26:49.410 who had returned from overseas deployment 26:49.410 --> 26:52.610 felt that their quarantine was draconian. 26:52.610 --> 26:53.870 Has that been alleviated? 26:53.870 --> 26:56.100 What was the truth in terms 26:56.100 --> 26:58.510 of the conditions and what's changed? 26:58.510 --> 26:59.370 - Sergeant Major's gonna take it. 26:59.370 --> 27:00.870 - Nobody better than this guy. 27:02.612 --> 27:03.610 - One great question for the Sergeant Major. 27:03.610 --> 27:05.680 First, I do want to say how proud 27:05.680 --> 27:07.530 I am of the United States Army. 27:07.530 --> 27:09.470 We got great soldiers all around the world, 27:09.470 --> 27:12.329 every day come in protecting not only, 27:12.329 --> 27:15.940 you know, American citizens but protecting each other. 27:15.940 --> 27:20.543 So, the first and foremost we're gonna protect the force. 27:21.665 --> 27:22.498 So, they come back from deployment 27:22.498 --> 27:23.331 and we've gotten used to 27:23.331 --> 27:24.390 I come back from deployment, 27:24.390 --> 27:26.720 I have this big ceremony and my family runs up. 27:26.720 --> 27:30.010 We're in unprecedented times, we got to learn from this. 27:30.010 --> 27:32.340 We can't just do what we've done in the past. 27:32.340 --> 27:35.500 And I think we need some time to get through that 27:35.500 --> 27:38.660 to say, yeah, we're learning as we go 27:38.660 --> 27:40.800 just like our nation is learning every day 27:40.800 --> 27:42.910 on how we need to do this. 27:42.910 --> 27:43.900 We're gonna look into that 27:43.900 --> 27:45.920 and make sure that we're following the guidelines 27:45.920 --> 27:47.810 that we get everybody together, 27:47.810 --> 27:51.490 we don't go overboard with our extreme measures 27:51.490 --> 27:53.330 but we have to learn and get through this 27:53.330 --> 27:55.380 because we have an obligation 27:55.380 --> 27:57.860 to protect the force of the United States soldiers 27:57.860 --> 28:00.930 and those citizens and that's what we're doing. 28:00.930 --> 28:02.940 And we're gonna get through this. 28:02.940 --> 28:06.060 - Sorry, but what about the specific case at Fort Bliss? 28:06.060 --> 28:07.600 They said there were three to the bunks, 28:07.600 --> 28:10.220 they weren't being given access to exercise? 28:10.220 --> 28:12.530 What's the truth and what's changed there since? 28:12.530 --> 28:14.000 - It's like any good command, 28:14.000 --> 28:15.030 we're gonna investigate 28:15.030 --> 28:17.100 and see what's going on in the command 28:17.100 --> 28:18.870 and we're gonna look into this. 28:18.870 --> 28:21.810 We have issues like we would have any other issues 28:21.810 --> 28:24.000 that people bring these issues to us 28:24.000 --> 28:25.830 and we allow the senior mission commander 28:25.830 --> 28:28.000 to investigate those positions. 28:28.000 --> 28:29.610 - [Jennifer] So, you haven't looked into it yet? 28:29.610 --> 28:31.340 - Yes, the the senior command 28:31.340 --> 28:34.003 is looking into that specific issue right now. 28:35.520 --> 28:36.540 - When we get information, 28:36.540 --> 28:38.740 the commander will pass that along. 28:38.740 --> 28:39.820 - And another question, 28:39.820 --> 28:41.700 the cadets at West Point, 28:41.700 --> 28:45.020 do you expect them to arrive on campus in the fall 28:45.020 --> 28:48.640 and to go through to be on campus 28:48.640 --> 28:51.070 or will it be a sort of e-learning situation? 28:51.070 --> 28:53.790 - You know, I think it's too early to say. 28:53.790 --> 28:56.080 We'll know a lot more here shortly. 28:56.080 --> 28:57.400 We've been working through the issue 28:57.400 --> 28:59.190 just getting that senior class out 28:59.190 --> 29:00.427 and getting them to the force. 29:00.427 --> 29:03.750 That's what we've been really keenly focused on right now. 29:03.750 --> 29:06.980 You know, like the question earlier that Phil had, 29:06.980 --> 29:08.960 you know, we were looking at the movements 29:08.960 --> 29:10.445 of every soldier in the force 29:10.445 --> 29:12.111 and looking at just how safely 29:12.111 --> 29:13.840 we can get them from A to B 29:13.840 --> 29:15.530 so they can continue to move down the path. 29:15.530 --> 29:16.820 I mean to the point the Chief 29:16.820 --> 29:18.510 made earlier about this tranche 29:18.510 --> 29:19.840 of soldiers that went through MEPs 29:19.840 --> 29:22.310 and showed up at our installations just yesterday 29:22.310 --> 29:25.040 and you had what four or six of them. 29:25.040 --> 29:25.873 - [McConville] It was six. 29:25.873 --> 29:27.163 - The six that tested for, 29:27.163 --> 29:29.730 that we said had COVID symptoms, immediately isolated them. 29:29.730 --> 29:32.019 We are that focused on recruiting 29:32.019 --> 29:35.880 ROTC and obviously West Point 29:35.880 --> 29:38.460 because the force generation is just so important. 29:38.460 --> 29:40.030 Right now, just looking at how do we get 29:40.030 --> 29:41.890 those thousand out of there in May 29:41.890 --> 29:43.490 and get them down to their training 29:43.490 --> 29:45.390 as well as the ROTC cadets as well. 29:45.390 --> 29:47.500 - Yeah, much much of this is gonna be assessment. 29:47.500 --> 29:48.600 You know, right now is, 29:48.600 --> 29:49.660 I think you know we're doing 29:49.660 --> 29:51.680 an online training for West Point cadets. 29:51.680 --> 29:53.940 We're at that position right now 29:53.940 --> 29:55.000 and then we're gonna you know do 29:55.000 --> 29:56.580 every two weeks take a look 29:56.580 --> 29:58.450 and, you know, ideally in a perfect world, 29:58.450 --> 30:00.410 if this does crest and come down, 30:00.410 --> 30:02.440 we'd like to bring the seniors back for graduation, 30:02.440 --> 30:03.430 have them a chance to leave. 30:03.430 --> 30:05.380 But we're gonna wait and see 30:05.380 --> 30:08.290 and make sure the conditions are safe before we do that. 30:08.290 --> 30:09.920 - Okay we're gonna go to the line real quick. 30:09.920 --> 30:10.753 We have. 30:13.970 --> 30:15.093 - [Reporter] Hello, this is. 30:16.980 --> 30:19.220 I know that there was a ban 30:19.220 --> 30:20.650 on the public graduations 30:20.650 --> 30:24.540 to protect the trainees and their family members. 30:24.540 --> 30:25.760 I spoke to a lot of families 30:25.760 --> 30:28.550 and they were really distraught about this. 30:28.550 --> 30:29.740 What are you doing to try to boost 30:29.740 --> 30:32.910 the morale for those trainees who are coming in 30:32.910 --> 30:34.300 and those who are about to graduate 30:34.300 --> 30:35.240 as well as their families? 30:35.240 --> 30:38.984 And also, is it possible to make it mandatory 30:38.984 --> 30:41.800 that family members of service members 30:41.800 --> 30:46.470 be tested for coronavirus to protect that service member 30:46.470 --> 30:50.790 even if they don't have symptoms of the coronavirus? 30:50.790 --> 30:52.380 - I'll take the graduation. 30:52.380 --> 30:54.035 This is one of those things that 30:54.035 --> 30:56.867 we're putting some pretty tough procedures in place 30:56.867 --> 30:59.456 and as we talk to General Abrams 30:59.456 --> 31:01.890 and we talk to General Cloutier 31:01.890 --> 31:03.950 that were very successful. 31:03.950 --> 31:06.201 If we don't change our behavior 31:06.201 --> 31:08.790 and we put a large amount of people together 31:08.790 --> 31:12.113 before we have the requisite amount of testing 31:12.113 --> 31:15.070 we're gonna have a lot rougher situations 31:15.070 --> 31:17.010 and we want to make sure that we're 31:17.010 --> 31:19.404 protecting the families and the soldiers 31:19.404 --> 31:21.722 and it will really, you know, 31:21.722 --> 31:23.070 I know they're disappointed 31:23.070 --> 31:24.706 about not having a graduation 31:24.706 --> 31:26.659 but we want to make sure that they they 31:26.659 --> 31:30.530 leave our training in a safe manner. 31:30.530 --> 31:33.560 You want to add any to this, Sergeant Major? 31:33.560 --> 31:34.932 - [Grintson] Can I do the second part? 31:34.932 --> 31:35.851 - Okay, we'll do the second part. 31:35.851 --> 31:36.800 Okay, you got anything? 31:36.800 --> 31:38.880 Okay, I'll let you take that one. 31:38.880 --> 31:40.620 - Then, real quick, you know, 31:40.620 --> 31:42.810 based on, you know, the assessment, you know, 31:42.810 --> 31:45.010 decision is made we then would look 31:45.010 --> 31:47.675 at, you know, following again the CDC protocols first 31:47.675 --> 31:50.763 but then what is best to protect those family members 31:50.763 --> 31:51.900 as well as the soldiers 31:51.900 --> 31:54.800 and then we would make a decision in reference to testing. 31:56.100 --> 31:57.810 - Okay, so, let's go to Sylvie on the line. 31:57.810 --> 31:58.643 Sylvie? 32:03.480 --> 32:05.230 Okay, well, we're gonna go to Tara. 32:06.350 --> 32:07.183 - Thank you very much. 32:07.183 --> 32:10.233 A bunch of questions on the hotel rooms. 32:11.400 --> 32:13.450 How many rooms total do we anticipate 32:13.450 --> 32:16.610 being converted in New York 32:16.610 --> 32:18.510 and then what sort of plans are there 32:18.510 --> 32:21.610 for potentially Washington State or California 32:21.610 --> 32:24.890 both of which are been pretty hard hit? 32:24.890 --> 32:26.500 And then if you could walk us through 32:26.500 --> 32:30.033 how do you actually make a room a negative pressure room? 32:31.010 --> 32:34.250 And then lastly for Secretary McCarthy, 32:34.250 --> 32:35.670 are you are you feeling okay? 32:35.670 --> 32:38.013 There was a few sniffles there at the beginning. 32:40.090 --> 32:41.540 - Let me start with that one. 32:42.540 --> 32:43.480 I'm fine. 32:43.480 --> 32:44.830 I have exhibited no symptoms. 32:44.830 --> 32:46.230 Every time we walk in the office, 32:46.230 --> 32:49.350 they check our temperature and we wash our hands. 32:49.350 --> 32:50.440 - [McConville] I'm six feet from. 32:50.440 --> 32:51.640 - He's six feet from me. 32:53.860 --> 32:56.290 You know, we're not getting a lot of sleep other than that. 32:56.290 --> 32:58.330 But other than that, I'm doing well, 32:58.330 --> 33:00.090 thank you for asking, though. 33:00.090 --> 33:01.690 But, one thing I would ask, 33:01.690 --> 33:04.960 this comment before General Semonite chimes in, 33:04.960 --> 33:06.630 it's important to understand that this, 33:06.630 --> 33:08.370 they have to put together a concept 33:08.370 --> 33:13.110 to triage large volumes of potential patients. 33:13.110 --> 33:15.020 So, somebody can come up to the front door 33:15.020 --> 33:17.870 and they could say, you know, I don't feel well, 33:17.870 --> 33:19.460 I was at Belvoir on Wednesday, 33:19.460 --> 33:21.550 I was at Walter Reed this morning, 33:21.550 --> 33:24.870 and just looking at the procedures that are put in place 33:24.870 --> 33:27.790 and you've got, you know, an E4 young enlisted soldier 33:27.790 --> 33:29.780 right there asks three or four questions. 33:29.780 --> 33:32.380 And then they kind of go through this decision tree. 33:33.760 --> 33:35.610 I've hurt my ankle falling down the stairs, 33:35.610 --> 33:38.620 pregnancy, may be COVID, may be just the flu, 33:38.620 --> 33:40.870 and this is a way the triage, this large scale, 33:40.870 --> 33:42.831 so we helped put concepts in place 33:42.831 --> 33:44.907 for the states that ultimately 33:44.907 --> 33:47.890 would it require federal support, probably, 33:47.890 --> 33:49.650 but it's just a matter of what 33:49.650 --> 33:52.160 because people are asking what hospital that, 33:52.160 --> 33:53.880 a lot of this is just conceptually 33:53.880 --> 33:55.218 how would you put it in place? 33:55.218 --> 33:56.550 And a lot of that has to do 33:56.550 --> 33:58.591 with the comments that General Semonite made earlier. 33:58.591 --> 34:00.900 What are the trends, how many people? 34:00.900 --> 34:03.301 In many cases, a lot of these folks 34:03.301 --> 34:04.703 that come into the hospital, 34:04.703 --> 34:07.340 they get medication, they go home. 34:07.340 --> 34:09.135 They're not necessarily required 34:09.135 --> 34:12.010 to stay overnight at a hospital. 34:12.010 --> 34:13.296 And a lot of that is just conceptually 34:13.296 --> 34:16.030 how you're gonna screen large scale. 34:16.030 --> 34:17.570 Hospitals like St. Vincent's 34:17.570 --> 34:19.760 probably aren't used to hundreds of people showing up 34:19.760 --> 34:22.920 so that's where we can help just think through the problem 34:22.920 --> 34:24.520 with a systems engineering approach 34:24.520 --> 34:26.700 and then ultimately apply more resources as needed. 34:26.700 --> 34:29.240 General Semonite, anything you want to add? 34:29.240 --> 34:31.390 - You asked about numbers. 34:31.390 --> 34:32.750 Every state I'm sure is right 34:32.750 --> 34:34.340 in the process of trying to figure this out. 34:34.340 --> 34:35.550 That's why the Secretary talked 34:35.550 --> 34:37.800 about talking to these governor's and trying to get this. 34:37.800 --> 34:39.200 We don't know exactly what they are. 34:39.200 --> 34:41.690 The main thing is is really two variables we're looking at. 34:41.690 --> 34:44.625 We're looking at what is the the slope of the curve 34:44.625 --> 34:46.420 of how many people are getting sick 34:46.420 --> 34:48.660 and then what is the shortage of actual beds 34:48.660 --> 34:49.850 in that particular city? 34:49.850 --> 34:51.160 You might have a city with, 34:51.160 --> 34:52.230 there's one I won't mention, 34:52.230 --> 34:54.640 but it's actually got a pretty high slope of a curve 34:54.640 --> 34:56.530 but they've got an awful lot of brand-new hospitals 34:56.530 --> 34:57.910 and they've got pretty good capability 34:57.910 --> 34:58.890 to be able to do that. 34:58.890 --> 35:00.690 The other thing I didn't talk about a lot of detail 35:00.690 --> 35:02.670 was this idea or the big concept. 35:02.670 --> 35:04.890 We want to try to go into the hotel, dormitory 35:04.890 --> 35:06.500 but we do have the ability to go in 35:06.500 --> 35:07.980 and do a convention center, 35:07.980 --> 35:09.360 that's a little bit easier to do 35:09.360 --> 35:11.760 but it's not quite the same level of care 35:11.760 --> 35:12.593 that we really want to do. 35:12.593 --> 35:14.900 We want to do this right and do this deliberate. 35:14.900 --> 35:16.010 And this goes back to, again, 35:16.010 --> 35:16.843 we can't do everything, 35:16.843 --> 35:18.520 we've got to somewhere be able to draw the line. 35:18.520 --> 35:19.990 And the more that the states can 35:19.990 --> 35:21.673 figure how to do this by themselves, 35:21.673 --> 35:23.880 then that takes so much more burden off 35:23.880 --> 35:26.190 so then we can be asked to go in to those states 35:26.190 --> 35:27.990 that maybe don't have that capacity. 35:28.900 --> 35:31.550 - I know that you can't give us specific numbers, 35:31.550 --> 35:32.610 but at least for New York 35:32.610 --> 35:34.370 where you were there on the ground, 35:34.370 --> 35:35.430 have you gotten an indication, 35:35.430 --> 35:36.540 are you're talking about hundreds 35:36.540 --> 35:38.370 of rooms you're converting, thousands of rooms? 35:38.370 --> 35:39.930 - We're talking about over 10,000 35:39.930 --> 35:41.530 that we are looking at right now. 35:41.530 --> 35:42.730 We need to send that up, 35:42.730 --> 35:44.480 and in fairness to the state of New York, 35:44.480 --> 35:46.960 that is not my decision, that has to go to FEMA, 35:46.960 --> 35:49.387 FEMA has to make a decision of what is that allocation 35:49.387 --> 35:52.460 and then we will exercise whatever FEMA tasks us to do. 35:52.460 --> 35:54.100 - And then lastly, how do you convert 35:54.100 --> 35:55.563 a room to negative pressure? 35:56.420 --> 35:57.650 - I'm gonna make it super simple, 35:57.650 --> 35:59.070 it's actually the little tiny unit, 35:59.070 --> 35:59.990 that's why we like hotel rooms, 35:59.990 --> 36:01.210 almost every hotel room has 36:01.210 --> 36:02.940 a little tiny unit back in the corner 36:02.940 --> 36:05.130 and actually it is a self-contained 36:05.130 --> 36:06.210 for that particular room. 36:06.210 --> 36:07.070 You actually want to, 36:07.070 --> 36:09.417 we want to bring the pressure down two or three psi 36:09.417 --> 36:11.620 and you actually adjust that unit 36:11.620 --> 36:13.290 to be able to suck more air out 36:13.290 --> 36:14.840 down through the bathroom vent 36:14.840 --> 36:16.380 to be able to have a negative pressure. 36:16.380 --> 36:17.760 On the door you put a great 36:17.760 --> 36:19.338 big piece of plastic with a zipper on 36:19.338 --> 36:21.110 so you zip in, you go into the room, 36:21.110 --> 36:23.120 we can go into more details but I don't wanna bore you, 36:23.120 --> 36:25.150 but it's a relatively simple process 36:25.150 --> 36:27.160 and if we can't use the existing unit, 36:27.160 --> 36:28.300 we're gonna rip it out and put another 36:28.300 --> 36:29.860 one back in that is a higher pressure. 36:29.860 --> 36:32.300 We're trying to suck the air down 36:32.300 --> 36:34.299 so we have a negative pressure. 36:34.299 --> 36:35.132 - Okay, so, Tara, before you ask another question, 36:35.132 --> 36:36.031 I'm gonna go to Kim. 36:36.031 --> 36:36.864 - Did you get all that? 36:36.864 --> 36:38.050 - Learn something every day. 36:39.452 --> 36:40.292 - Well, I said, Kim. 36:40.292 --> 36:41.316 - [Tom] I thought you said Tom. 36:41.316 --> 36:42.149 - Sorry, Tom, Kim. 36:42.149 --> 36:43.340 - We won't leave without you. 36:44.300 --> 36:45.960 - Kim, with Time. 36:45.960 --> 36:47.530 I wanted to ask how you're protecting 36:47.530 --> 36:49.370 the troops and DOD civilians 36:49.370 --> 36:52.615 in active conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan 36:52.615 --> 36:55.040 and how is that affecting operations? 36:55.040 --> 36:56.700 Like how can you do by, with, and through 36:56.700 --> 36:58.810 at a distance of six feet? 36:58.810 --> 37:01.930 And then the policy question 37:01.930 --> 37:04.030 is how much was the shrinking 37:04.030 --> 37:07.961 of the footprint in Iraq post-Soleimani, COVID-19 37:07.961 --> 37:09.750 and what is that doing to things 37:09.750 --> 37:12.696 like watching Iranian activity in southern Syria, 37:12.696 --> 37:15.290 protecting the oil fields? 37:15.290 --> 37:17.913 - Yeah, in fact I talked to General Miller this morning 37:17.913 --> 37:21.060 just to get a sense of what's going in Afghanistan. 37:21.060 --> 37:22.470 He's dealing really the same issue 37:22.470 --> 37:23.730 that all commands that did. 37:23.730 --> 37:25.810 He's got a combat mission going on right now 37:25.810 --> 37:27.761 and as you said they're advising and assisting 37:27.761 --> 37:30.980 and he also wants to protect the force. 37:30.980 --> 37:32.330 And so, what he's taking a look at 37:32.330 --> 37:34.430 is the criticality of each mission. 37:34.430 --> 37:36.460 They are doing the things that we talked about. 37:36.460 --> 37:39.000 They're screening, they're washing their hands, 37:39.000 --> 37:40.820 they are using social distance 37:40.820 --> 37:42.573 which quite frankly does work. 37:44.008 --> 37:44.841 As we looked at Korea, 37:44.841 --> 37:46.690 a lot of people think that you're kidding around, 37:46.690 --> 37:48.410 if you stay six feet away 37:48.410 --> 37:50.300 people aren't spreading germs 37:50.300 --> 37:52.620 and you're washing your hands, that does work. 37:52.620 --> 37:54.858 So, what he is doing is taking a look 37:54.858 --> 37:56.766 at the missions that he's getting 37:56.766 --> 38:00.840 and in putting those methods. 38:00.840 --> 38:03.460 Also as we send troops into the region, 38:03.460 --> 38:04.640 we are quarantining them. 38:04.640 --> 38:05.770 We're bringing some troops in, 38:05.770 --> 38:06.770 as they come into the region, 38:06.770 --> 38:08.150 if that mission's essential, 38:08.150 --> 38:10.040 we're doing a risk assessment on them, 38:10.040 --> 38:12.500 processing them through one of the countries 38:13.520 --> 38:15.100 before they get to Afghanistan 38:15.100 --> 38:19.693 and making sure that they have no issues with the virus. 38:21.269 --> 38:22.242 - Okay, so, we'll go to Tom. 38:22.242 --> 38:24.610 - Sorry, the Syria COVID-19, 38:24.610 --> 38:26.918 how much is the shrinking of the footprint in Iraq 38:26.918 --> 38:29.610 due to what was already going on with Soleimani 38:29.610 --> 38:34.610 and Iraqi anger over U.S. strikes against Iranian proxies 38:34.935 --> 38:38.850 and how much was COVID-19? 38:38.850 --> 38:40.230 - Well, it seems, you know, 38:40.230 --> 38:41.658 with Pat White he's doing the same thing, 38:41.658 --> 38:45.960 he's taking a look at how he works with the Iraqis. 38:45.960 --> 38:48.300 You know, the mission continues there. 38:48.300 --> 38:51.110 At the same time, he's trying to protect the force. 38:51.110 --> 38:53.570 - Does that pullback effect, 38:53.570 --> 38:55.560 watching Iranian activity in the south 38:55.560 --> 38:58.290 or protecting those oil fields, does that mission. 38:58.290 --> 39:00.590 - I think right now in many of these countries 39:01.851 --> 39:05.590 is they're very, very concerned about this virus also. 39:05.590 --> 39:09.080 You know, in Iraq, in Afghanistan, certainly in Iran, 39:09.080 --> 39:12.808 you know, I think this virus is a serious concern for all 39:12.808 --> 39:15.620 and that's affecting everyone's operations. 39:15.620 --> 39:18.673 - Even Iranian proxy activity in southern Syria? 39:19.530 --> 39:21.350 - Well, I probably wouldn't, 39:21.350 --> 39:23.280 I'd probably defer that question. 39:23.280 --> 39:24.634 - [Staff] Tom. 39:24.634 --> 39:26.030 - Thanks, I have two questions, gentlemen. 39:26.030 --> 39:28.139 One, is have military services 39:28.139 --> 39:29.785 for funerals been suspended 39:29.785 --> 39:31.551 and the second question 39:31.551 --> 39:34.610 is you talked about the bubble earlier, 39:34.610 --> 39:36.840 I think it was you General, talked about the bubble. 39:36.840 --> 39:40.790 How far back do you have to envision, sir, 39:40.790 --> 39:42.770 maybe back to a vision for troops 39:42.770 --> 39:44.950 that were in like tier one countries like Italy, 39:44.950 --> 39:48.150 tier three countries, excuse me, like Italy and South Korea. 39:48.150 --> 39:49.781 If they left in December 39:49.781 --> 39:53.080 is there a concern that they may be carriers, 39:53.080 --> 39:54.448 that type of thing? 39:54.448 --> 39:56.760 - Well, you know, we brought people back from Korea, 39:56.760 --> 39:57.970 we brought a whole brigade back 39:57.970 --> 39:59.420 and that was just recently, 39:59.420 --> 40:01.579 probably January February timeframe, 40:01.579 --> 40:03.240 for the 1st Cavalry Division 40:03.240 --> 40:07.200 and they they went through that process and so far so good. 40:07.200 --> 40:10.350 But that bubble, and that's what General Abrams really did, 40:10.350 --> 40:12.670 and for some others it was pretty draconian 40:12.670 --> 40:14.571 because, you know, when you went somewhere, 40:14.571 --> 40:18.492 when you came on, you were asked questions, 40:18.492 --> 40:19.560 your temperature, 40:19.560 --> 40:21.675 if you were to come on the military installations, 40:21.675 --> 40:23.080 your temperature was taken, 40:23.080 --> 40:24.357 you were asked questions, you were screened, 40:24.357 --> 40:25.930 and as soon as there were any type issues 40:25.930 --> 40:28.000 you went into some type of quarantine 40:29.347 --> 40:31.600 and that's how you prevent the spreading. 40:31.600 --> 40:32.800 - So, like, for Korea, 40:32.800 --> 40:34.360 and then I do have another question. 40:34.360 --> 40:39.360 I think the first announced case was on January 20th, 40:39.480 --> 40:41.680 so, if troops came back before that 40:41.680 --> 40:43.330 were they retroactively screened? 40:47.530 --> 40:50.350 - So, they were not, at that particular point, 40:50.350 --> 40:52.670 they were not designated as a level three country. 40:52.670 --> 40:54.010 When they went to level three, 40:54.010 --> 40:57.083 everything that arrived after that went to screening. 40:58.890 --> 41:00.450 Both the Chief and Secretary, I think, 41:00.450 --> 41:04.103 the important point is because, you know, 41:04.950 --> 41:07.460 they identified a certain time on the ground 41:07.460 --> 41:09.900 in both Korea and Italy, 41:09.900 --> 41:13.380 those commanders General Abrams and General Cloutier, 41:13.380 --> 41:15.420 and prior to that because they 41:15.420 --> 41:17.272 saw trends going in bad direction, 41:17.272 --> 41:19.380 they basically put a seal around 41:19.380 --> 41:20.870 their installations and their families 41:20.870 --> 41:25.260 and that's why those outcomes have been so positive. 41:25.260 --> 41:27.610 - [Tom] My other questions was on the. 41:27.610 --> 41:30.800 - On the funerals here in the National Capital Region, 41:30.800 --> 41:32.260 you know, for the old guard, 41:32.260 --> 41:35.010 we've kind of reduced some of foot bed, footprint. 41:35.010 --> 41:37.580 Is they're not gonna have like the escorts, 41:37.580 --> 41:39.370 there won't be a large formation 41:39.370 --> 41:41.280 for those that are authorized an escort. 41:41.280 --> 41:44.860 But they're still doing what we would say full honors. 41:44.860 --> 41:46.680 We're just using the same criteria 41:46.680 --> 41:47.700 we'll use for everybody else, 41:47.700 --> 41:51.400 just keep your distance and respect our fallen. 41:51.400 --> 41:52.233 - [Tom] Thank you. 41:52.233 --> 41:53.066 - We're gonna go on the phone. 41:53.066 --> 41:54.683 We have Haley on the line. 41:56.280 --> 41:57.800 - [Hayley] Yes, thank you. 41:57.800 --> 42:00.108 I'm wondering how these requirements, 42:00.108 --> 42:01.797 you know, things like social distancing 42:01.797 --> 42:04.650 and keeping soldiers separated 42:04.650 --> 42:07.160 are being balanced with readiness requirements 42:07.160 --> 42:09.720 and what kind of instruction 42:09.720 --> 42:11.418 is being passed down to some 42:11.418 --> 42:13.640 of the lower echelon commanders 42:13.640 --> 42:15.620 about their responsibilities 42:15.620 --> 42:18.050 to have their units at a certain readiness level? 42:18.050 --> 42:19.733 Kind of how that's being balanced 42:19.733 --> 42:21.560 with protecting soldiers 42:21.560 --> 42:24.800 and things that may require them 42:24.800 --> 42:26.083 to have close contact. 42:27.003 --> 42:29.290 - You know, we've had that discussion. 42:29.290 --> 42:31.070 In fact I was just discussing 42:31.070 --> 42:35.053 that with the FORSCOM commander and getting to, 42:36.185 --> 42:38.973 there's some things that we can do as far as training 42:38.973 --> 42:41.870 where we have small amounts of soldiers 42:41.870 --> 42:42.860 that continue to train. 42:42.860 --> 42:44.430 You know, we want small amounts. 42:44.430 --> 42:45.850 If you take the squad, 42:45.850 --> 42:47.390 a lot of times when squads are training, 42:47.390 --> 42:49.406 you know, it's a five meter distance 42:49.406 --> 42:51.640 the way they move and maneuver 42:51.640 --> 42:52.836 so they could continue to train 42:52.836 --> 42:55.490 and have that social distance. 42:55.490 --> 42:56.850 You know, what we don't want people doing 42:56.850 --> 42:58.230 is having large formations, 42:58.230 --> 42:59.386 what we don't want people doing 42:59.386 --> 43:02.206 is putting large amounts of soldiers 43:02.206 --> 43:04.770 maybe into an auditorium for training 43:04.770 --> 43:07.790 where there's a much greater chance to spread. 43:07.790 --> 43:09.517 But, you know, soldiers can still go to the field, 43:09.517 --> 43:11.630 soldiers can still train 43:11.630 --> 43:14.420 but we are recommending highly 43:14.420 --> 43:16.280 that they keep that social distance 43:16.280 --> 43:18.950 and then take a look at what the soldier's mission is. 43:18.950 --> 43:20.230 There's certain soldiers we know 43:20.230 --> 43:23.110 have critical missions coming up, combat missions, 43:23.110 --> 43:24.610 they need to be ready to do that, 43:24.610 --> 43:26.740 and that is the risks of the mission 43:26.740 --> 43:28.030 so, they put, you know, 43:28.030 --> 43:29.970 they know they need to continue to train. 43:29.970 --> 43:31.354 If they have other soldiers that 43:31.354 --> 43:33.494 the mission isn't so essential, 43:33.494 --> 43:36.194 they can take the proper measures to account for that. 43:37.080 --> 43:38.930 - Okay, so, we get Lara on the line 43:38.930 --> 43:40.820 and we'll do one more in person questions. 43:40.820 --> 43:41.653 So, Lara. 43:43.930 --> 43:46.080 - [Lara] Hi, can you hear me? 43:46.080 --> 43:48.180 - Yeah, yeah sure, go ahead. 43:48.180 --> 43:49.610 - Great, awesome. 43:49.610 --> 43:51.680 So, I'm just wondering if you can tell me 43:51.680 --> 43:54.000 if you're thinking at all about 43:54.000 --> 43:56.780 graduating any medics early 43:56.780 --> 43:59.910 to try and help alleviate pressure 43:59.910 --> 44:01.420 on the civilian hospitals 44:01.420 --> 44:04.013 and are you looking at that possibility? 44:05.830 --> 44:07.630 - Well, right now we're not. 44:07.630 --> 44:11.065 We think it's very important that our medics 44:11.065 --> 44:14.380 are trained if they're going to help out 44:14.380 --> 44:15.770 and then just one thing as far 44:15.770 --> 44:18.800 as our whole medical community and General Dingle is here 44:18.800 --> 44:20.090 but, you know, we've told him, 44:20.090 --> 44:21.610 the guidance we've given him is, 44:21.610 --> 44:23.874 throughout the entire medical community, 44:23.874 --> 44:28.290 they're gonna be engaged in combating this virus 44:28.290 --> 44:30.140 and it could be if they're in the Reserves 44:30.140 --> 44:32.963 they may be operating in their civilian capacities, 44:35.258 --> 44:37.720 or they'll be operating at the medical treatment facilities, 44:37.720 --> 44:39.130 they'll be deployed in combat, 44:39.130 --> 44:44.130 or they'll be composing our hospitals that are requested. 44:44.710 --> 44:47.570 But every every single medical professional 44:47.570 --> 44:49.410 in the United States Army 44:49.410 --> 44:52.393 is gonna be engaging in this endeavor in some way. 44:53.540 --> 44:54.660 - Okay, so we've got time for one more. 44:54.660 --> 44:56.224 Courtney, you haven't gone yet. 44:56.224 --> 44:58.370 - [Courtney] I have about five so. 44:58.370 --> 45:00.230 Let's see for the Secretary and the Chief, 45:00.230 --> 45:01.840 that's what you get when call on me last. 45:01.840 --> 45:03.258 Secretary and the Chief, 45:03.258 --> 45:05.740 you put a CSH and a field hospital 45:05.740 --> 45:07.730 on prepare to deploy orders earlier this week, 45:07.730 --> 45:09.630 have they been assigned to go anywhere? 45:09.630 --> 45:12.850 And are there any other medical units or supply, 45:12.850 --> 45:15.460 anyone who's been on prepare to deploy as well? 45:15.460 --> 45:17.743 - Yeah, I'll take that 'cause I talked about that yesterday. 45:17.743 --> 45:20.508 We talked about the 47th Combat 45:20.508 --> 45:22.800 Support Hospital out at Fort Lewis, 45:22.800 --> 45:26.880 we also talked about the hospital out of Fort Campbell, 45:26.880 --> 45:28.100 those were the two that were given 45:28.100 --> 45:30.220 what we call prepare to deploy order. 45:30.220 --> 45:32.220 We're also really giving a warning order 45:32.220 --> 45:34.943 to all our role three hospitals 45:34.943 --> 45:37.527 and what we're doing is we're taking a look at them 45:37.527 --> 45:39.370 and saying, okay, the one that we 45:39.370 --> 45:40.270 talked about at Fort Lewis, 45:40.270 --> 45:43.450 we may not end up, if we do get an order to deploy, 45:43.450 --> 45:44.647 that may not be the one we deploy 45:44.647 --> 45:45.910 and because it really depends on 45:45.910 --> 45:48.280 we don't have an exact place to go 45:48.280 --> 45:50.010 but because they're sitting 45:50.010 --> 45:54.303 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington right now, 45:54.303 --> 45:56.560 those hospitals actually work in, 45:56.560 --> 45:58.254 you know, they're in the area, 45:58.254 --> 46:01.790 they work in clinics, they work in the hospital, 46:01.790 --> 46:03.130 what we've asked the Surgeon General, 46:03.130 --> 46:04.750 he can talk a little more about this, 46:04.750 --> 46:05.950 as we stand up these hospitals, 46:05.950 --> 46:09.370 we say, hey, what's the impact on the community 46:09.370 --> 46:11.480 if we take these people out of the hospital 46:11.480 --> 46:12.313 because they have a, 46:12.313 --> 46:14.010 I don't want say they have a day job, but they kind of, 46:14.010 --> 46:18.040 they do normal medical care during the day. 46:18.040 --> 46:19.730 It's the same thing with our 46:19.730 --> 46:21.810 Reserves and the National Guard. 46:21.810 --> 46:25.271 We canceled a combat training center rotation 46:25.271 --> 46:28.180 for the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team 46:28.180 --> 46:31.440 because that's the National Guard brigade from Washington 46:31.440 --> 46:34.660 and really the soldiers come from Washington and California 46:34.660 --> 46:37.000 and we're anticipating that the governors may need 'em 46:37.000 --> 46:38.100 so we don't want to take them 46:38.100 --> 46:39.890 to the combat training center 46:39.890 --> 46:42.590 when we think they need to be used in the community 46:42.590 --> 46:44.338 and the same thing with the doctors, nurses, 46:44.338 --> 46:45.815 and the rest of folks. 46:45.815 --> 46:46.648 You want to add anything to that? 46:46.648 --> 46:48.290 - While he's coming up, 46:48.290 --> 46:49.123 the thing I get back to, again, 46:49.123 --> 46:51.348 is just the concept that's put in place 46:51.348 --> 46:54.150 for how they're gonna conduct the healthcare continuum 46:54.150 --> 46:56.850 from screening all the way through to recovery. 46:56.850 --> 46:57.799 So, ultimately those will be 46:57.799 --> 47:00.791 how the sourcing solutions come forward. 47:00.791 --> 47:03.994 Those hospitals you reference, those are for trauma. 47:03.994 --> 47:06.826 So, would they be used just for trauma patients 47:06.826 --> 47:08.550 'cause people are gonna get in car accidents, 47:08.550 --> 47:12.400 things are gonna happen over and above COVID-19 47:12.400 --> 47:14.780 or do we change the task organization 47:14.780 --> 47:18.513 of that hospital with personnel, numbers of beds? 47:18.513 --> 47:20.420 So, things could potentially change 47:20.420 --> 47:21.950 ultimately from the work really 47:21.950 --> 47:23.935 that these three guys are doing in planning 47:23.935 --> 47:27.640 and ultimately offering up concepts to FEMA 47:27.640 --> 47:30.030 and then ultimately work with the states. 47:30.030 --> 47:31.200 - I want to jump on that 'cause, you know, 47:31.200 --> 47:32.780 we could ask the question, well, you know, 47:32.780 --> 47:34.690 you got a CSH, you got a field hospital, 47:34.690 --> 47:36.680 how many beds and we give you that, 47:36.680 --> 47:38.060 that's probably not how we're gonna do it 47:38.060 --> 47:40.610 because we look at some of these field hospitals, 47:40.610 --> 47:41.800 they're tents, you know, 47:41.800 --> 47:43.440 and that may not be the best place. 47:43.440 --> 47:44.650 We're in the United States, 47:44.650 --> 47:47.160 we've got hotels, we've got dormitories, 47:47.160 --> 47:48.503 we can do much better care 47:48.503 --> 47:51.290 and maybe they occupy that building 47:51.290 --> 47:52.123 if they had to do it. 47:52.123 --> 47:54.110 So, what we're looking for is, hey, 47:54.110 --> 47:56.700 here's the the capabilities we have 47:56.700 --> 47:58.580 and then working with this team right here 47:58.580 --> 48:01.480 to get the right people in the right place the right time. 48:02.430 --> 48:04.160 - Hurry up, we got four more. 48:05.380 --> 48:07.350 - A multi-compo approach to it 48:07.350 --> 48:09.127 because we know that if we pull one 48:09.127 --> 48:11.920 that's gonna impact either civilian sector 48:11.920 --> 48:14.190 or our military medical treatment facilities. 48:14.190 --> 48:16.010 So, we're doing a comprehensive analysis 48:16.010 --> 48:18.277 to make sure we get it right it and don't break something. 48:18.277 --> 48:20.850 - So, you guys all appreciate that it's like a Jenga puzzle, 48:20.850 --> 48:22.415 they're doing things locally 48:22.415 --> 48:24.170 and if you extract doctors 48:24.170 --> 48:26.450 from Fort Belvoir to go to New York, 48:26.450 --> 48:28.040 what does that do to Fort Belvoir? 48:28.040 --> 48:30.310 So, the rigor for the sourcing solutions 48:30.310 --> 48:32.340 are more unique than what we've seen before 48:32.340 --> 48:35.173 because we go to the Middle East, we come home, 48:35.173 --> 48:38.330 it's not as linear of a problem set, 48:38.330 --> 48:40.530 the complexity because it's right here at home 48:40.530 --> 48:42.480 and they do things at home over and above 48:42.480 --> 48:44.860 deploying with unit X or Y 48:44.860 --> 48:45.980 so that when you when you, 48:45.980 --> 48:47.640 I know you're all gonna want to know, 48:47.640 --> 48:50.010 units are gonna be going here and there, 48:50.010 --> 48:52.330 ultimately that's why you see a greater level of rigor 48:52.330 --> 48:54.377 than you would see under a normal condition. 48:54.377 --> 48:56.330 - So, it's fair to say that every 48:56.330 --> 48:57.700 medical unit in the U.S. Army 48:57.700 --> 48:58.950 is on a warning order right now 48:58.950 --> 49:02.225 to potentially prepare to deploy? 49:02.225 --> 49:03.730 - It depends, I mean there's, 49:03.730 --> 49:05.910 we had a 191,000 people deployed. 49:05.910 --> 49:08.045 They're working on everything. 49:08.045 --> 49:10.169 - What I would say is every unit 49:10.169 --> 49:12.530 in the United States Army Medical 49:12.530 --> 49:14.010 has been told to take a look 49:14.010 --> 49:15.910 at their capabilities and capacities 49:15.910 --> 49:16.850 so they can come back to us 49:16.850 --> 49:18.040 so when someone says, hey, 49:18.040 --> 49:19.598 we need a field hospital 49:19.598 --> 49:21.300 and I look at it and you have 49:21.300 --> 49:22.650 this many people from this post, 49:22.650 --> 49:23.869 this many people from that post, 49:23.869 --> 49:26.992 what are those doctors doing at Madigan, 49:26.992 --> 49:28.780 that's gonna fill that. 49:28.780 --> 49:30.140 Hey, we pulled this person out 49:30.140 --> 49:31.330 to go with this field hospital, 49:31.330 --> 49:33.180 we just took down this capabilities there. 49:33.180 --> 49:35.720 So, what we want to do especially for the Reserves, 49:35.720 --> 49:39.230 because we're assuming most of those doctors, those nurses, 49:39.230 --> 49:41.630 that's probably what they're doing, you know, in real life 49:41.630 --> 49:43.080 when they're not in the Reserves. 49:43.080 --> 49:44.600 - [McCarthy] Comprehensive inventory. 49:44.600 --> 49:45.776 Come on keep going. 49:45.776 --> 49:46.609 - And then General Semonite, 49:46.609 --> 49:48.140 can you tell us on the money, 49:48.140 --> 49:49.540 how much money did FEMA give 49:49.540 --> 49:51.330 Corps of Engineers on Tuesday? 49:51.330 --> 49:54.850 Have there been any other allocations since Tuesday? 49:54.850 --> 49:56.790 How many facilities does it include? 49:56.790 --> 49:58.540 Can you give us the hard stats 49:58.540 --> 49:59.493 out of what they? 50:00.374 --> 50:01.210 - So, I'm gonna keep this really short. 50:01.210 --> 50:02.960 Secretary's asked me to be available next week 50:02.960 --> 50:05.120 to be able to do a facility only press conference 50:05.120 --> 50:06.820 and I can ask her more of these questions there. 50:06.820 --> 50:08.100 FEMA gave us a million dollars 50:08.100 --> 50:09.770 but they basically said whatever you need, 50:09.770 --> 50:11.360 you keep coming back for the planning piece. 50:11.360 --> 50:12.810 So, that's why we're in states right now 50:12.810 --> 50:14.030 doing all the planning. 50:14.030 --> 50:16.134 The only actual list I have today is of New York 50:16.134 --> 50:18.370 but that's why these states are coming back 50:18.370 --> 50:20.300 and once I know more then I'll lay all this out for you, 50:20.300 --> 50:21.390 where's the buildings, 50:21.390 --> 50:23.470 how many facilities, and what's this look like? 50:23.470 --> 50:24.803 - How many facilities do you have right now? 50:24.803 --> 50:27.450 - Right now, 12 facilities that we're working at. 50:27.450 --> 50:29.450 Today, they'll be done by today, 12. 50:29.450 --> 50:31.024 - [Courtney] Okay, thanks. 50:31.024 --> 50:31.980 - What else you got? 50:31.980 --> 50:32.813 - [Courtney] That's okay, someone else can. 50:32.813 --> 50:33.646 You good? 50:34.490 --> 50:35.420 - [Reporter] General Semonite, just one quick one. 50:35.420 --> 50:37.700 I know this is the Army leadership in formation, 50:37.700 --> 50:39.330 but I'm wondering are you coordinating 50:39.330 --> 50:40.250 with the other services? 50:40.250 --> 50:42.330 I'm thinking of the Seabees, 50:42.330 --> 50:43.780 are you working with them? 50:43.780 --> 50:44.990 They could get out there and bang some nails 50:44.990 --> 50:47.700 - We definitely are when it comes to DOD missions. 50:47.700 --> 50:51.160 I basically do most of my work in this lane under FEMA 50:51.160 --> 50:53.250 where some of the other Services don't have that. 50:53.250 --> 50:54.360 So, while the other Services 50:54.360 --> 50:56.464 could certainly do things on military installations, 50:56.464 --> 50:58.033 when it comes to FEMA missions, 50:58.033 --> 51:01.220 I basically do that with the Corps of Engineers only. 51:01.220 --> 51:03.412 - Once the concepts are firm, 51:03.412 --> 51:05.210 then you reach into what types 51:05.210 --> 51:06.910 of capabilities you're gonna need. 51:08.220 --> 51:10.120 - Okay, sir, you want a call? 51:10.120 --> 51:11.750 - Anybody else? 51:11.750 --> 51:12.803 Okay, last one. 51:14.080 --> 51:16.220 - [Reporter] Real quick, what is a reasonable expectation 51:16.220 --> 51:18.510 of a soldier comes in and wants a COVID test? 51:18.510 --> 51:19.640 How long should it take for him 51:19.640 --> 51:22.020 to get, or her, to get a response back? 51:22.020 --> 51:23.750 And then real quick before you said that 51:23.750 --> 51:25.733 all the folks who tested positive 51:25.733 --> 51:28.050 were going into these zero pressure rooms, 51:28.050 --> 51:30.360 the people who are fine were in normal barracks, 51:30.360 --> 51:31.967 what about the people who are presumptives, 51:31.967 --> 51:34.017 are they going to zero pressure rooms or? 51:36.214 --> 51:38.400 - I think a lot of this is just how extreme, 51:38.400 --> 51:39.845 some people are going home 51:39.845 --> 51:43.130 and they're going into quarantine, self quarantine. 51:43.130 --> 51:45.950 So, not everybody is required for that level of care. 51:45.950 --> 51:48.403 I mean, General Dingle, do you want to jump in here? 51:51.420 --> 51:53.740 - It's based on the condition of that soldier. 51:53.740 --> 51:55.980 You get some will just be sniffles 51:55.980 --> 51:57.530 and going through it light, 51:57.530 --> 52:00.390 others be more severe that will require hospitalization. 52:00.390 --> 52:02.600 It depends on the condition of the soldier. 52:02.600 --> 52:03.951 - Allergies. 52:03.951 --> 52:06.640 - [Reporter] Soldiers on respirators or in ICU, sir? 52:06.640 --> 52:08.110 - That's a HIPAA thing, I don't think we ought 52:08.110 --> 52:09.180 to really talk about that. 52:09.180 --> 52:10.920 - [Reporter] Actually the President said that. 52:10.920 --> 52:12.741 - I'm cautious, the lawyers tell me 52:12.741 --> 52:13.610 to be cautious with stuff. 52:14.610 --> 52:15.840 - [Reporter] We're not asking for names, 52:15.840 --> 52:18.340 we're just asking if there any people? 52:18.340 --> 52:20.870 - We do not, no, is what he said. 52:20.870 --> 52:21.810 - [Reporter] Can you list what other states 52:21.810 --> 52:24.893 have asked for the hospital plan? 52:28.050 --> 52:29.610 - It's too long a list right now. 52:29.610 --> 52:30.510 I can lay that out. 52:30.510 --> 52:32.150 I'm in the process of making a matrix 52:32.150 --> 52:34.880 of all 50 states, the territories as well, 52:34.880 --> 52:36.780 who are we talking to, what do we think the requirement is? 52:36.780 --> 52:37.630 We just aren't there yet. 52:37.630 --> 52:39.530 We're getting all this stuff in every single day. 52:39.530 --> 52:41.340 We're looking very hard at California, 52:41.340 --> 52:42.220 the state of Washington. 52:42.220 --> 52:43.500 We've already been to New Jersey 52:43.500 --> 52:44.690 and we're working our way around 52:44.690 --> 52:45.560 the states then we're coming back 52:45.560 --> 52:47.790 and we're really looking at where's the biggest demand 52:47.790 --> 52:49.260 so we go to those states first. 52:49.260 --> 52:50.093 - We'll be able to give you 52:50.093 --> 52:51.410 more of a comprehensive laydown next week 52:51.410 --> 52:53.773 and then sir, over to you for a closing. 52:54.690 --> 52:56.224 - As I stated at the start, 52:56.224 --> 52:58.327 we're gonna come down here routinely 52:58.327 --> 53:00.720 and tell you about our progress, 53:00.720 --> 53:01.995 about the health of the force, 53:01.995 --> 53:04.653 and just what we're learning from day to day. 53:06.020 --> 53:09.070 You know these are very extraordinary set of circumstances. 53:09.070 --> 53:11.400 The thing that resonates the most with me 53:11.400 --> 53:14.400 is just a 24-hour news cycle 53:14.400 --> 53:16.470 and it's affecting us here at home. 53:16.470 --> 53:18.318 These guys are working 14 hours a day 53:18.318 --> 53:20.610 and then they go home and their families, you know, 53:20.610 --> 53:21.443 answer your questions. 53:21.443 --> 53:23.659 So, people are working really hard 53:23.659 --> 53:25.890 but a really unique set of circumstances. 53:25.890 --> 53:27.890 I think you all feel it, too. 53:27.890 --> 53:29.800 And just take care of yourselves, okay. 53:29.800 --> 53:32.160 You know, I think I maybe take a question 53:32.160 --> 53:33.150 or two on my way out here 53:33.150 --> 53:35.320 and then we got to get back up there, okay. 53:35.320 --> 53:37.420 - Yeah, just one closing thing 53:37.420 --> 53:38.860 as the Secretary said we have 53:38.860 --> 53:41.480 190,000 soldiers around the world 53:41.480 --> 53:44.500 but you know the real heroes in this fight, 53:44.500 --> 53:46.920 it's gonna be our doctors, our scientists, 53:46.920 --> 53:48.990 our nurses, and our medical professionals 53:48.990 --> 53:50.120 and they're on the front line of this thing 53:50.120 --> 53:52.800 and we got a chance to go up to Fort Detrick 53:52.800 --> 53:53.670 and see what they're doing. 53:53.670 --> 53:55.865 They're really getting after it 53:55.865 --> 53:57.303 and we will prevail so thank you. 53:59.762 --> 54:01.364 - [Reporter] No hand shaking. 54:01.364 --> 54:02.197 - No hand shaking. 54:02.197 --> 54:03.246 - Did you ask about the Defense Production Act? 54:03.246 --> 54:04.079 - No, that was.