Baldwin Calls on Defense Department to Guarantee Access to Coronavirus Testing for American Servicemembers Abroad
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today urged leadership of the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Guard to guarantee that American servicemembers stationed abroad, including members of the Wisconsin National Guard, have easy access to coronavirus testing. Wisconsin National Guard members are currently deployed to Afghanistan where there are confirmed cases of coronavirus.
“Members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard 1st Battalion, 128th “Red Arrow” Infantry Regiment are presently deployed to Afghanistan. My office has received concerns that this unit may be conducting operation in and around villages in Afghanistan where that are active cases of COVID-19 and that members of this unit may not have access to testing kits,” wrote Senator Baldwin in her letter. “I believe servicemembers should have easy access to testing regardless of where they are currently serving.”
The full letter is available here and included below.
March 11, 2020
The Honorable Thomas McCaffery
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs The Defense Health Agency
7700 Arlington Boulevard
Suite 5101
Falls Church, VA 22042-510 I
General Joseph L. Lengyel
Chief, National Guard Bureau
1636 Defense Pentagon Suite 1E169
Washington, D.C. 20301
Dear Secretary McCaffery and General Lengyel:
I am writing today concerned about the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the increasing number of cases in countries where American servicemembers are stationed, including members of the Wisconsin National Guard currently deployed to Afghanistan.
Members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 128th “Red Arrow” Infantry Regiment are presently deployed to Afghanistan. My office has received concerns that this unit may be conducting operations in and around villages in Afghanistan where there are active cases of COVID-19 and that members of this unit may not have access to testing kits. I believe servicemembers should have easy access to testing regardless of where they are currently serving.
I was pleased to see that your department included initial guidance to Department of Defense (DOD) personnel in your January 30, 2020 “Force Health Protection Guidance for the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak” and that you are distributing guidance to personnel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, there is no information regarding the availability of testing kits for personnel based in the United States or overseas. Given the already complex environment in which soldiers deployed to Afghanistan operate, along with a host government that finds itself in a political crisis and tenuous peace process with the Taliban, I write to request more information on DOD actions to ensure that testing kits are made available to deployed service members.
In addition, I request answers to the following questions:
- How is the Department assessing the level of risk of COVID-19, and how are you tailoring protective guidance for each area of responsibility and military installation?
- How are you coordinating protection and preparedness efforts with the Defense Health Agency and the CDC, and how often are you providing updated guidance to combatant commanders, installation commanders, and personnel?
- Do Military Treatment Facilities globally have all necessary equipment- including operational rapid testing kits, supplies, and sterile space- to effectively screen, diagnose, and treat all suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases, and ensure the safety of health care workers stationed at Military Treatment Facilities?
- Does DOD require any additional resources, authorities, or action from Congress to ensure military preparedness and the safety of Americans during the COVID-19 outbreak?
- Has the National Guard Bureau issued guidance to the Adjutants General regarding changes to weekend drills and annual trainings that have already been scheduled status?
Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.
Sincerely,
