US Air Force Tech. Sgt.Nathan Korta, medical technician with the Joint Task Force Steelhead Mobile Vaccination Team, delivers the COVID-19 vaccine to a resident of Orcas Island, March 2, 2021, Orcas Island, Wash.
Senior Airman Mckenzie Airhart | US Air National Guard
WASHINGTON – National Guard leaders on Thursday urged people in the US to continue to adhere to Covid-19 containment measures as the military races to vaccinate the population.
“We look forward to following that [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] Science that tells us what it is smart to do to keep protecting the civilian population around us, “Col. Russell Kohl, commander of the Missouri National Guard’s 131st Medical Group, told CNBC when asked about concerns from more states pass relaxing leadership.
“You will still see us socially distancing ourselves, you will still see us in masks and we will try to encourage as many people as possible to get the vaccine because I think this is really a multi-step process for We are overcoming this pandemic and returning to any kind of normalcy to the extent that there will be such a thing as normality as opposed to a new normal, “Kohl added.
Kohl’s comments came after California – the most populous state in the country – announced this week that it would lift most of its Covid-related restrictions by June 15. Over the past month, a number of states relaxed restrictions to varying degrees.
“We are the instruments of national power, not the decision-makers, and what the elected leaders do at the national, local and state levels is their decision,” Brig told the US Army. General Adam Flasch, Director of Joint Staff for the Maryland National Guard and dual status commander for the Title 10 active troops.
“But there is good solid science behind masks and social distancing and hand washing to deny the virus or vector until we can be vaccinated,” Flasch added.
The National Guard has mobilized 2,250 vaccines in more than 1,000 locations to deliver the coronavirus vaccines to Americans. The service said earlier this week it had reached a milestone by firing 6 million shots to the public.
Federal health officials recently warned that the U.S. is still in a battle against the coronavirus, even as vaccine production spikes and record-breaking vaccine doses are given.
The Chief Medical Officer of the White House, Dr. Anthony Fauci, warned Monday that Americans should continue to take public health measures as the warmer summer months approach.
“You may remember a little over a year ago when we were looking for summer to save ourselves from waves. It was actually the opposite,” Fauci said at a coronavirus briefing.
“We saw some significant waves over the summer. I think we shouldn’t even think about relying on the weather to get rid of whatever we’re in right now,” he added.
