Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, April 2020

Special edition
Volume 16, Number 4 Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • home.army.mil/Irwin
April 2020
Inside
Novel coronavirus: Health and safety
is priority at NTC Fort Irwin Story by Janell J. Lewis Ford
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Leadership at the National Training Center and Fort Irwin took swift action to protect and inform the commu- nity, as the infectious disease known as the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, began to spread across the country over the last, few months.
The disease causes respiratory illness, like the flu, and comes with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, dif- ficulty breathing.
On Feb. 5, soldiers and the community were sent safety precaution information about the Jan. 30 global health emergency declared by the World Health Organization. At that time, the novel coronavirus had infected 17,000 and killed 362, mostly in China. As of April 1, the virus has infected more than 800,000 and over 40,000 have died worldwide.
Coronaviruses were first identified in the 1960s. Chinese officials and German doctors suggest that some patients may spread the virus during its incubation period, which may last up to 14 days before symptoms emerge.
NTC/Fort Irwin follows Centers for Disease Control guidance. Safety measures have been displayed across the installation, encouraging basic hygiene, including washing hands aggressively for at least 20 seconds, cov- ering your mouth when you cough or sneeze (releasing into your elbow), avoiding touching your face, frequently disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding close contact of one to six feet with people who are not well.
Coronavirus disease spreads primarily
Jason Miller, NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
NTC Commanding Brig. Gen. David Lesperance (right), Garrison Commander, Col. Jeanette Martin and MEDDAC Commander, Col. Larry France conduct first, joint Facebook Live Coronavirus Update on Mar. 13, 2020; before social distancing was enforced.
through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze. It also spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches an open area on their face.
There is no specific medicine to prevent or treat the disease. Medical professionals on post and across the country treat a patient’s symptoms first.
The WHO’s determination of “global public-health emergency” has been around since 2005 and been used only five times be- fore. On March 25, NTC/Fort Irwin increased its Health Protection Condition level to Charlie +, as the Army raised all installation HPCON levels. The move helps maintain operational readiness around the world and protects to force, ensuring the ability to quickly deploy contingency response forces
across the globe.
Do’s and Don’ts:
Do:
• Wash your hands regularly for 20 sec-
onds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
• Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze
• Avoid close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell
• Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell
Don’t:
• Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean
• Congregate in groups of more than 10
Installation Changes
Social distancing, carry-out only, hand- washing stations and grocery rationing became the norm at NTC/Fort Irwin amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
See full story, Page 2 Schools
Students and parents have received an overly-extended spring break as the district evaluates the effects of the COVID-19 virus.
See full story, Page 3 Community Outreach
Soldiers, spouses and employees stepped up to provide a positive environment during these unprecedented times.
See full story, Page 4-5 Timeline
A look at how COVID-19 response un- folded across NTC/Fort Irwin, California,
the U.S. and the world.
See full story, Page 7
ALWAYS FREE ACCESS!
Frequent Updates – Breaking News – Local • Regional • National