Coronavirus Draws MD National Guard To Fan Out Across State

MARYLAND — The Maryland National Guard has popped up in pockets of the state. Guardsmen have become visibly present in Baltimore City as well as Montgomery and Prince George's counties assisting with the response to the new coronavirus.

Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young said he asked for the guard's help with vulnerable populations, food distribution for children and logistical planning for health care facilities.

"My administration requested that the Guard deploy in Baltimore to provide humanitarian assistance in partnership with our city agencies as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Young said. "The Guard's deployment helps provide resources we need to support the work being done to keep Baltimore healthy."

Added Young: "I am confident that the deployment of the National Guard will help ensure Baltimore City has everything it needs to fully address COVID-19. I would like to thank Governor Hogan for working closely with the City of Baltimore and other counties throughout the State."

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called 2,000 National Guardsmen to active duty March 16 after authorizing the activation of the guard March 12 through an executive order.

The guard assists with state-level emergencies, and its members are providing transportation as well as medical, logistical and nutritional support during the coronavirus response.

Three people have died this week in Maryland from the new coronavirus — a Montgomery County woman in her 40s Saturday, a Baltimore County man in his 60s Friday and a Prince George's County man in his 60s Wednesday. All suffered from underlying medical conditions, according to state health officials, who confirmed Saturday morning 190 cases of COVID-19 had been reported statewide.

As the state military force's presence became more visible — with its trucks fanned out in the M&T Bank Stadium lot in Baltimore and members pitching tents in Montgomery and Prince George's counties — the guard assured citizens its members were there to help.

"To our friends and neighbors — there is not a threat of martial law," the Maryland National Guard posted on its social media accounts Friday. "When you see a Maryland National Guard Humvee on your street or service members setting up tents, know we are providing services to someone in need!" the guard said. "Whether it's providing transportation support, delivering much-needed supplies, or setting up health screening stations — we are working for you!"

Here's what they have been up to since arriving in the area:

• FRIDAY: Members of the guard pitched tents in Landover, where WTOP reports health officials from Prince George's County and Maryland are hoping to create a closed testing site for the new coronavirus at FedEx Field. Guardsmen from the Maryland Army National Guard’s 224th Medical Company Area Support, which is headquartered in Olney, set up a tent in Silver Spring, where officials said up to 30 medical soldiers would be able to support hospital workers in an emergency triage situation. Members of the National Guard were called to Baltimore City to help serve vulnerable populations, according to the mayor, who said their role was to help with food distribution to children and medical logistics planning.
• THURSDAY: Maryland National Guard members helped conduct health screenings at the state house in Annapolis. Airmen from the 175th Wing ensured critical medical equipment was getting to local health departments and hospitals. It was shipped from the federal government to a warehouse in Anne Arundel County, where guardsmen prepared it for delivery to the field.
• TUESDAY: National Guard members escorted nine quarantined passengers arriving from the Grand Princess cruise ship at BWI to various locations across Maryland. They brought food and supplies so the people could self-quarantine for at least two weeks.

"Our singular purpose is to meet the needs of the people of Maryland and do our part to help keep our communities safe," Maj. Gen. Timothy E. Gowen, Adjutant General for Maryland, said in a statement. "The Maryland National Guard is focused and prepared to bring every appropriate capability to bear to confront this crisis."

Throughout the week, guard members have been mobilizing. Officials said the process begins with a screening outside Dundalk Readiness Center to ensure they are healthy before deploying across the state to help with the response to COVID-19.

For updates on the coronavirus in Maryland, get Patch news alerts.

See Also:

• MD Governor Orders Restaurants, Bars, Gyms, Theaters To Close
• Coronavirus: UMD Cancels Face-To-Face Courses For Spring Semester
• MD Coronavirus: Public Schools To Close, National Guard Activated
• Maryland Coronavirus Cases Rise, Largest One-Day Increase Yet