OTSG DPA Weekly Sends May 19, 2020

What you need to know 1. The Army Surgeon General, LTG R. Scott Dingle, “TSG SENDS: COVID-19 and Army Medicine”messages from this week are included for your awareness. Please read!

• Published TSG Sends (May 12) (Click Here)• Published TSG Sends (May 15) (Click Here)

2. It is important that we record the lessons learned and best practices to improve the strategic,operational, and tactical response of Army Medicine to emergency operations in the future. Theobservations can be entered at the COVID-19 SharePoint Lessons Learned/Best Practices siteat: https://go.usa.gov/xvNwY

3. DOD COVID-19 Talking Points (May 19) (Click Here)

4. DOD COVID-19 Media Fact Sheet (May 19) (Click Here)

5. DVIDS Center for COVID PA Products: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/COVID19

6. DOD COVID-19 Response Infographic (May 13) (Click Here)

7. Turning on lifesaving trials at Madigan Army Medical Center:https://health.mil/News/Articles/2020/05/13/Turning-on-lifesaving-trials-at-Madigan-Army-Medical-Center

8. COVID-19 Information:• Army Medicine COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-984-8523 or DSN 312-421-3700.• Army: https://www.army.mil/coronavirus/• APHC: https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/campaigns/covid19/• CDC Web Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html• DoD Web Page: https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/• Health.mil Web Page: https://health.mil/News/In-the-Spotlight/Coronavirus• TRICARE Web Page: https://tricare.mil/coronavirus

Army Medicine Week in Review Articles: 1. MEDCoE recognizes its Centennial (May 15)https://www.army.mil/article/235644/medcoe_recognizes_its_centennial

2. Washington National Guard members build COVID-19 test kits (May 15)https://www.army.mil/article/235662/washington_national_guard_members_build_covid_19_test_kits

OTSG DPA Weekly Sends May 18, 2020

3. Tips about how to protect yourself and family during the COVID-19 situation (may 15)https://www.army.mil/article/235652/tips_about_how_to_protect_yourself_and_family_during_the_covid_19_situation

4. NC National Guard sets up COVID-19 medical support shelter (May 15)https://www.army.mil/article/235651/nc_national_guard_sets_up_covid_19_medical_support_shelter

5. NCARNG assists Spanish-speaking citizens during COVID-19 (May 15)https://www.army.mil/article/235640/ncarng_assists_spanish_speaking_citizens_during_covid_19

6. Fort Benning easing some COVID-19 restrictions, but its top leader says no broadscalechanges without 14-day downturn in disease (May 14)https://www.army.mil/article/235635/fort_benning_easing_some_covid_19_restrictions_but_its_top_leader_says_no_broadscale_changes_without_14_day_downturn_in_disease

7. ‘I made it,’ trainees recover from COVID-19, graduate (May 14)https://www.army.mil/article/235631/i_made_it_trainees_recover_from_covid_19_graduate

8. U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center utilizes innovation in COVID-19 response (May 14)https://www.army.mil/article/235619/u_s_army_aberdeen_test_center_utilizes_innovation_in_covid_19_response

9. Essential to the effort: Quiet professionals serve meals to nation’s defenders (May 14)https://www.army.mil/article/235613/essential_to_the_effort_quiet_professionals_serve_meals_to_nations_defenders

10. Michigan Guard helps test at long-term care homes, prisons (May 13)https://www.army.mil/article/235589/michigan_guard_helps_test_at_long_term_care_homes_prisons

11. How the Army is conducting Periodic Health Assessments during COVID-19 (May 6)https://www.army.mil/article/235303/how_the_army_is_conducting_periodic_health_assessments_during_covid_19

Videos: 1. America 2020 – We Will Persevere: Former Army Chief of Staff Gen.(R) Martin Dempsey andThe United States Army Band sing a message of hope and unity. (May 15)https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/videos/287791502228826/

2. RHC-C: As we conclude the last day of National Nurses Week 2020, we wanted to highlight ourMunson Nurses past and present. (May 12)https://www.facebook.com/munsonhealth/videos/944554689297089/

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OTSG DPA Weekly Sends May 18, 2020

3. AFN Video: Nurses Week Highlight: CPT Tiffany Massenberg (May 12)https://www.facebook.com/afneurope/videos/1601863499990667/

4. AFN Video: The SHAPE of healthy volunteering (May 12)https://www.facebook.com/afnbenelux/videos/244012210156403/

MEDCOM Graphics: (Click Here)

Media Engagements / Events: 1. Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman speaks to reporters at the Pentagon. (May15) https://www.facebook.com/DeptofDefense/videos/180844589812805/

2. Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramon Colon-Lopez and U.S. TransportationCommand - Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Master Sgt. Jason France hold a virtual town hall forservice members and their families regarding PCS moves and protections put in place during theCOVID19 pandemic. (May 14)https://www.facebook.com/DeptofDefense/videos/526113898294806/

3. Lt. Gen. Scott Dingle, TSG Virtual Town Hall on the Army's role in COVID-19 efforts. (May 11)http://live.gcds.disa.mil/streaming/vr1.html?id=200511OTSG&cpc=1530&bitrate1=300&bitrate2=600

Upcoming Events 1. Army will host a weekly COVID-19 press conference scheduled for Thursday, May 21, with thetime TBD. You can watch live at: https://www.defense.gov/Watch/Live-Events/

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TSG Sends May 12, 2020

Army Medicine Family,

Welcome back from what I hope was a great Mother’s Day weekend. Thanks again to those of you who joined myself

and CSM Gragg yesterday for our Virtual Town Hall. As I suspected, many of you wanted more information about the

return to “normal” operations as the Nation goes through its phased re-opening. The Army will provide further guidance

on what that transition framework will look like in an upcoming order, but I can assure you, we will implement that

guidance responsibly, based on local conditions, and in a manner that keeps our people safe. For those who couldn’t

be online, you can watch the virtual town hall at:

http://live.gcds.disa.mil/streaming/v1.html?id=200511OTSG&cpc=1530&bitrate1=300&bitrate2=600

Yesterday, someone asked if there is still a need for Army Medicine and a need for a Medical Readiness Command.

Both are fair questions. My answer to both questions was an emphatic Yes! Army Medicine remains relevant, and is

not going anywhere. The MEDCOM will reorganize, according to the direction of our Army senior leaders. But, the

COVID-19 pandemic has only reemphasized the importance of Army Medicine to the readiness of our Army. In order for

this message to reverberate at echelon, I need leaders, supervisors and teammates across the Total Force, to capture

and communicate those lessons learned that will help us shape a ready, relevant and responsive Army Medicine

enterprise for the future.

You all have responded in a remarkable way to provide life-saving care during this pandemic. Whether you were in an

expeditionary hospital, a fixed facility or someplace like the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, your service and care

have been admirable. Our job is taking care of people…because People Matter! You have done that in an extraordinary

fashion over the past few months, and I just want to thank you again for the great work you’ve done.

It is important that we consolidate the gains we have achieved through this experience, whether through distributed

operations via telework or providing care on the front lines, and incorporate them into the way we do business going

forward. As we continue into the next phase of support the COVID-19 response efforts and reimagine the future Army

Medicine, we will ensure safe, quality care to our beneficiaries, and we will maintain a ready medical force to support

our Army.

Nurses play a vital role in sustaining that ready medical force, in Army Medicine and across the Military Health System.

As we conclude the week-long celebration of National Nurses Week today, I wanted to send this special video message

to some of the unsung, and often unseen, heroes of this COVID-19 fight…our military and civilian nurses. You are

amazing! View here: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/751811/nurses-week-2020-ltg-r-scott-dingle

Finally, I encourage you to take a few minutes to thank a nurse. They are truly phenomenal teammates and

professionals who lead with care and compassion. And hey, don’t just take my word for it, view some of the video

dispatches below and learn some of the incredible things our nurses are doing to support the Army Medicine Team.

Remember, it is because of the entire Team, that Army Medicine is Army Strong! Hooah!

Nurses Week 2020 Dispatch - CPT Harris:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/751858/nurses-week-cpt-harris

Nurses Week 2020 Dispatch - LTC Hogan:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/751558/nurses-week-2020-ltc-hogan

Nurse Week 2020 Dispatch - MAJ Jesionowski:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/751528/nurses-week-2020-maj-jesionowski

Nurses Week 2020 Dispatch - Jerdon:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/751568/nurses-week-2020-jerdon

Nurses Week 2020 Dispatch - CPT Hebert:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/751594/nurses-week-2020-cpt-hebert

Nurses Week 2020 Dispatch - MAJ Heath:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/751347/nurses-week-2020-maj-blair-heath

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TSG Sends May 12, 2020

Nurses Week 2020 Dispatch - MAJ Moore:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/751344/nurses-week-2020-maj-betty-moore

TSG 45

VR

R. SCOTT DINGLE

LTG, USA

The Surgeon General

Useful links:

https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/covid19

www.militaryonesource.mil/coronavirus

www.coronavirus.gov

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

www.usa.gov/coronavirus

www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/

Updated CDC guidance for cleaning:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-building-facility.html

Army Public Health COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-984-8523

https://geohealth.hhs.gov/arcgis/home/

MTF video training on COVID-19 capacity predictive modeling:

https://go.usa.gov/xvngB

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TSG Sends May 15, 2020

Army Medicine Family,

Two months ago, we significantly increased our force health protection posture in response to the growing impact of

the COVID-19 pandemic. For many of you, that has meant working remotely, caring for sick loved ones, and

homeschooling. For others, it has meant deploying into or coordinating deployments to the frontlines of the

coronavirus response efforts. For some others, it has meant redirecting much of the focus to scientific solutions. For

all your contributions, thank you. The overall whole-of-government response has been phenomenal. The synergy we’ve

experienced working with our Army leaders and those throughout the federal government has been monumental.

As we continue to serve the nation in these historic and uncertain times, please know that we are all in this together.

We remain postured to serve and respond as conditions throughout the nation change. Army medical personnel, in

particular, will continue to be available and provide support as long as the need exists.

During these historic times, it is important that we record the lessons learned and best practices to improve the

strategic, operational, and tactical response of Army Medicine to emergency operations in the future. The observations

can be entered at the COVID-19 SharePoint Lessons Learned/Best Practices site at https://go.usa.gov/xvNwY . The

site has a User's Guide that provides detailed instructions.

Some of you may be aware that this week we’ve been celebrating National Transportation Week (NTW) and National

Defense Transportation Day (NDTD). The ability to move people, supplies and equipment around cannot be

understated, but, the people making this happen are probably amongst our most unsung heroes. We often take for

granted that equipment, supplies, and people will show up. I send sincere gratitude to all of those people involved in

getting us where we need to go and for getting our supplies and equipment where it needs to be.

I’d like to send a “shout out” to our research folks. The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) tested

two portable patient isolation units to possibly transport COVID-19 patients on U.S. Army and Army National Guard

medical evacuation aircraft. USAARL was able to expedite all testing and approvals needed to obtain airworthiness

certification to offer potential material solutions for transporting patients requiring isolation onboard U.S. Army rotary-

wing aircraft. This is the kind of work going on in the transportation world that we do not see. Be sure to say thank you

to people you know in the transportation world.

I’m also grateful for the technology we have available to us during this pandemic. Specifically, within the DHA there

are a number of resiliency apps that can be helpful for us as we endure this collective experience. Here are some of

the available apps:

Provider Resilience App

Virtual Hope Box App

Breathe2Relax App

Military Meditation Coach Podcast

These two links have additional information:

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/365824/covid-19-world-pace-yourself-stay-resilient-and-avoid-burnout

and

https://health.mil/connectedhealth

Stay safe out there. Wear your personal protective equipment (PPE) and remember the best protection for the general

public is to maintain social distancing. It is a discipline.

Thank you for all you tirelessly do for our Army and our Nation.

TSG 45

VR

R. SCOTT DINGLE

LTG, USA

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TSG Sends May 15, 2020

The Surgeon General

Useful links:

https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/covid19

www.militaryonesource.mil/coronavirus

www.coronavirus.gov

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

www.usa.gov/coronavirus

www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/

Updated CDC guidance for cleaning:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-building-facility.html

Army Public Health COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-984-8523

https://geohealth.hhs.gov/arcgis/home/

MTF video training on COVID-19 capacity predictive modeling:

https://go.usa.gov/xvngB

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COVID-19 TALKING POINTS May 19, 2020

Priority Messaging • DoD is providing military manpower and equipment – both capacity and capability – to

state and local authorities around the country to help combat COVID-19.

• Protecting our people has remained a DoD priority from the start. We must take thoseprudent measures to limit COVID-19’s spread, while also ensuring our people aretrained and ready to defend the nation.

Supporting State and Local Authorities • U.S. Northern Command, in support of FEMA, is leading the DoD response to COVID-

19 efforts in the continental United States, ensuring hotspots around our country havethe support they need.

• Over 46,000 Air and Army National Guard professionals are supporting COVID-19response at the direction of their governors. COVID-19 testing and screening continuesas the priority effort in most states as the states begin reopening. The National Guard isalso performing a variety of logistical support tasks throughout the country.

• The Army Corps of Engineers in concert with federal, state and local partners arebringing their talents to bear to convert buildings in to temporary hospitals.

Supporting Allies and Partners • COVID-19 remains a global challenge that no nation can face alone – our strong

network of alliances and partnerships is critical to combating this virus.

• The United States has been the largest contributor to global health security for decades,contributing more than $140B in global health assistance in the 21st century alone.

• Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the U.S. Government has utilized an “All-of-America”approach, and already committed more than $775M in assistance specifically aimed atfighting this pandemic.

• DoD has provided millions in humanitarian assistance to 70 partner nations through theprovision of medical and personal protective equipment and the transportation ofhumanitarian cargo.

• We are working with our NATO allies to coordinate inventory among capitals and usemilitary cargo planes to transport equipment.

• Together, we should continue to support our partners’ ability to detect and respond tothe virus, reinforce international health care systems, and share lessons learned toprotect the force.

China Messaging • This pandemic highlights the importance of transparency to human health, good

governance, and the global economy. Restricting information has had devastatingconsequences for China and the global community.

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• The PRC has a special responsibility for this crisis and we welcome no-strings attachedcontributions – as we would from any other nation – of high quality supplies to meetpublic health needs.

• We expect the PRC to share all virus data and work through recognized and crediblemechanisms for humanitarian and global health assistance to sell or donate high-qualitymedical supplies. Assistance should not be exploited for propaganda purposes or togain leverage on issues.

Protecting our People • DoD will continue to safeguard U.S. national interests and those of our allies and

partners throughout this crisis.

• Commanders must balance mission requirements with force health protection.o The Secretary of Defense has given commanders the authorities they need to make

necessary decisions to protect their forces.o Commanders are empowered to take necessary precautions because the virus is

unique to every situation and every location.

• We ask our people to take actions to protect themselves and those around them byemploying protective measures including practicing good hand washing, socialdistancing, and taking appropriate actions if feeling sick.

• The Secretary of Defense has directed multiple efforts to mitigate the pandemic’simpact on our people and set the bar for precautions.o Raised the HPCON level for all DoD installations.o Cancelled and/or modified exercises.o Maximized teleworking where possible.o Directed wear of cloth masks for instances where social distancing is not possible.o Enacted a stop movement order.o Requiring moving companies to follow CDC protocols for those DoD members who

must PCS now.

• Online resources:o The Defense Digital Service designed an online tool for the DoD community to

assess potential COVID-19 symptoms. Called MySymptoms.mil, the anonymoustool does not diagnose disease but assesses the likelihood someone may haveCOVID-19 based on a series of simple health-related questions and then providesinformation on how to seek further advice. Though designed with DoD personnel inmind, the public may also use it.

o www.coronavirus.govo www.cdc.gov/coronaviruso www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/o www.militaryonesource.mil/coronavirus

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DoD COVID-19 UPDATE M a y 1 9 , 2 0 2 0

DoD Response Timeline COVID-19 Response Imagery

Updates: 58,800+ DoD personnel supporting COVID relief • U.S. Northern Command is responsible for DoD's support of COVID-19 efforts with

approximately 10,900 people deployed, including nearly 1,300 medical personnel. Thisincludes over 700 medical providers working alongside civilian counterparts in NewYork City-area hospitals.

• 46,000+ members of the National Guard are supporting response efforts at theirgovernors’ direction.

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has 64 FEMA Mission Assignments totaling$1.8 billion (28 open / 36 closed), with 2,500 personnel engaged and more than750 deployed in support of COVID-19 response operations. USACE hasassessed 1,154 sites for use as Alternate Care Facilities (ACFs) and awarded 37ACF construction contracts to add 15,066 beds to the Nation’s healthcaresystem. 32 of these 37 ACFs are complete.

DoD News • Kings Bay unit makes PPE for employees, health care providers• Garrison task force leads contact tracing during COVID-19• Oldest Army medical unit adopts state-of-the-art assets to combat COVID-19• Vermont National Guard helps hospital with emergency care• NY National Guard testing for virus in western New York

DoD Cumulative Totals, 0500, May 19, 2020 Note: These figures are refined as the Joint Staff Crisis Management Team receives updated/corrected reporting on case numbers

Cumulative Cases

Cumulative Hospitalized

Cumulative Recovered

Cumulative Deaths

Military 5,765 127 2,860 2 Civilian 1,372 125 721 14 Dependent 1,026 46 557 4 Contractor 534 59 260 8 Total 8,697 357 4,398 28

Cases USA USAF USMC USN NGB DoD Agencies

Military 1,238 453 494 2,296 1,162 122

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSECOVID-19 RESPONSE

PROTECT OUR PEOPLESAFEGUARD NATIONAL SECURITY CAPABILITIES

SUPPORT NATIONAL RESPONSE

Information current as of May 13, 2020

SCIENCE

conducted in about 400 surveillance sites in 30+ countries to limit disease spread and maintain readiness of military members.

CERTIFIED CLINICAL COVID-19 TESTSperformed in DOD Labs to date.

5 DIFFERENT CLINICAL VACCINE TRIALSplus supporting other federal agencies’ testing.

$8.4M+ IN COVID-19 BIOSURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES

SUPPLIES

2,000

8M

20M

$1.1M

VENTILATORS approved for the Defense Support of Civil Authorities by the Secretary of Defense.

TEST SWABS transported and provided to FEMA and HHS.

N95 MASKS provided to FEMA and HHS.

provided to 28 partner nations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America in support of COVID-19 response efforts.

IN LABORATORY AND DIAGNOSTIC SUPPLIES

PROVIDING EMERGENCY STAFF, SITES, SUPPLIES, AND SCIENCE

For more on DOD’s COVID-19 response, visit: https://www.defense.gov/coronavirus

STAFF

Doctors, Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Medical Support Personnel

Air and Army National Guardsmen activated in all 50 States, 3 Territories and the District of Columbia.47,000+

6,700+ Navy, Air Force, and Army Reservists supporting COVID-19 response.

2,200+MEDICAL PERSONNEL

10,000 Engaged 947 Deployed

USACE(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

PERSONNEL

SITES

ARMY URBAN AUGMENTATION MEDICAL TASK FORCES IN 5 STATES:Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

9

U.S. NAVY HOSPITAL SHIP USNS Mercy1

NAVY EXPEDITIONARY MEDICAL FACILITY DETACHMENT IN 2 STATES:Louisiana and Connecticut

1USACE ALTERNATE CARE FACILITIES CONSTRUCTED IN 14 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin

30

64 FEMA MISSION ASSIGNMENTS

TOTALING $1.8B

84,234

DOD PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF COVID-19 OPERATIONS61,000+

USACE Alternate Care Facilities

Navy Expeditionary Medical Facility Detachments

Army Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces

x4x4x4

x2

x2

x4

x3

x2

x2

x2

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