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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNavy Rejects Captain's Plea to Evacuate Virus-Ravaged Carrier
Navy Rejects Captains Plea to Evacuate Virus-Ravaged Carrier
By Roxana Tiron
, Travis J Tritten
, and Glen Carey
March 31, 2020, 11:52 AM EDT Updated on March 31, 2020, 7:52 PM EDT
A U.S. Navy captains dramatic plea to evacuate most sailors from an aircraft carrier struck by the coronavirus was tamped down by an admiral who called for a more gradual rotation of crew members off the ship thats sidelined in Guam.
Citing an ongoing and accelerating danger on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Captain Brett Crozier sent his Navy superiors a memo pleading, We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die. He called for removing all but a skeleton crew off the carrier, where sailors are in close quarters, so that they can be isolated and tested.
Admiral J.C. Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told reporters Tuesday evening that its not possible to move as quickly as Crozier wanted. There are some constraints that were operating around, he said. He added that hes in touch with the governor of Guam about finding hotel rooms where sailors can stay until they are cleared to return.
Asked whether the carrier should be evacuated, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday evening that I dont think we are at that point.
President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that hed leave the decision up to the Pentagon.
more...
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-31/carrier-s-captain-pleads-for-coronavirus-action-to-save-sailors?fbclid=IwAR0fnC9iVoAsCYgUMCrglGJXeTQFbQsi4l_cC5WScIOCY9AaJB2kFIljGeM
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)assuming he survives the virus outbreak on his ship. He seems to be a good man that cares for his crew, but probably made too many waves to keep his job.
Phoenix61
(17,019 posts)Its the guy above him who refused to evacuate the ship who has toasted his own career.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)but time will tell.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)My understanding is limited, but the average age aboard an aircraft carrier is something like 24 years old.
85% of covid-19 cases resolve with no more than mild to moderate symptoms, and that number is improved at the young end.
They have better medical facilities than any town of their population, and are out in the middle of the Pacific.
Again, maybe I'm unbelievably stupid, but what place is better off to receive them than they are to care for themselves?
Phoenix61
(17,019 posts)a lot of people who are going to be in their late 30s-40s, basically all the high ranking personnel. I seriously doubt they are supplied to deal with a respiratory epidemic on board. Due to the tight quarters there is no way to keep the disease from spreading. We saw how rapidly it spread on cruise ships and they have private rooms for everyone. What do you think happens in open dorms, shared shower spaces, and cafeterias?
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)They can't just abandon the ship at Guam. One would suspect that every military installation is dealing with the identical problem right now, it is simply that most military facilities don't make public reports of their strength and combat readiness for reasons that should be obvious.
What is the alternative plan other than to find a way to isolate and treat as best as possible and then recycle recovered crew back into service?
Who would you like to remove, where would you like them to go, and how would you like to get them there?
Click their heels three times and turn up in San Diego?
Or have daily flights for people who, by and large, are going to have a fever and cough for a couple of days and then be fine - thus infecting the air crews?
Phoenix61
(17,019 posts)The captain didnt request to abandon the ship. He requested to take it down to a skeleton crew which means it would still be battle ready but with fewer people on board. Reach out to the Air Force base there and enlist their help.
Added: I dont think they have ruby slippers on board so clicking their heels probably wouldnt work. While young people are less likely to die from covid they make up the same percentage of hospital admissions as older people. How many ventilators do you think they have on board?
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)There is no guarantee the members of the skeleton crew would not also be infected, thus losing redudancy.
But I'm still not clear on where the others are proposed to go, how they are to get there, nor what the condition of that destination might be. I am certain that this aircraft carrier is not the only vessel, base or other military installation that has its hands full with this right now.
"How many ventilators do you think they have on board?"
How many are any place else? We are going to hit a point real soon where there are more people who need them than anyone has them, and that is not a unique condition to a military vessel which, again, has better medical facilities than any town its size.
bobbieinok
(12,858 posts)His comments sound pretty cold-blooded! !
Demonaut
(8,926 posts)spanone
(135,873 posts)Ilsa
(61,698 posts)Likely all of them. It's irresponsible to play with their lives like this.