While some ill-advised politicians are referring to the threat from Covid-19, the rapidly spreading coronavirus, as a “hoax,” the US Navy is taking it very seriously. Ships in the 7th Fleet has been ordered to spend at least 14 days at sea between port visits as nations in the region battle outbreaks of the new coronavirus, a Navy official told Stars and Stripes on Friday. The ships are effectively being put into self-quarantine.
The directive was issued to the vessels Wednesday “out of an abundance of caution” to monitor crews and prevent the spread of COVID-19, said the official, who declined to comment on the record.
No 7th Fleet sailors have tested positive for coronavirus, according to the official.
“This is about protecting the force and preventing spread to our allies and partners,” the official said.
I watch ABC GMA too.
It’s no big deal, they just slow down, there is plenty of fuel and food aboard.
All show and tell B.S!
IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN IN A PORT IN 10-14- Days, why panic the USA!
Submarines stay underwater longer than that!
Surface ships can stay at see almost or longer than submarines
Uh, it is a hoax! Thousands of people die from the flu everyday…this is just a slightly different strain, and only a handful of mostly frail people are succumbing to…
Phil,
Panic is in the eye of the beholder.
Nothing in this article is about panic but is rather about sensible precautions, which is exactly why the US Navy is taking this action.
And there’s also absolutely absolutely no reason this information should be kept from the public.
No panic. Just reasonable precautions for a very real threat.
The coronavirus is twice as communicable and 20 times more deadly than the flu. Calling the coronavirus a hoax is nonsense.
I might point out that no one called the virus a ‘hoax’. A comment was made regarding the media hoopla and BS streams, being a ‘hoax’ to stir
clicks and sales.
Won’t matter at all, just needed to be said.
Concerns about the virus have indeed been called a hoax, in comments on this thread, and from the highest office in the land. Denial is foolish.
The pearls clutching and vapors are astonishing…look it up – the regular flu kills tens of thousands a year…this different strain is closer to the common cold…no big deal unless you’re old, sick or very young – JUST LIKE ALL INFLUENZA…
This is a hoax to generate media attention and focus fake blame
Pauly, what part of “the coronavirus is twice as communicable and 20 times more deadly than the flu,” don’t you understand?