U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) is concerned about the threat of the coronavirus to America’s military service members and their families stationed abroad.
“I have questions about the current status of the DOD response and infection prevention efforts,” Sen. Tillis wrote in a Feb. 28 letter sent to Mark Esper, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
“This global outbreak is concerning and presents an enduring and uncertain threat,” wrote Sen. Tillis. “The anxieties and concerns I am hearing from our servicemembers and their families are justified.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the coronavirus has been detected in more than 40 locations internationally, including those where U.S. military are stationed or deployed, according to Sen. Tillis’ letter.
For instance, the senator wrote that he learned about a 23-year-old U.S. service member stationed in South Korea who became the first such member of the U.S. military to contract the coronavirus.
“This particular incident was reported as a contained and isolated incident,” he wrote. “DOD personnel and their families are understandably very concerned.”
Sen. Tillis asked the secretary to answer several questions that address DOD’s actions in four specific areas: the existing risks of infection to military personnel; emergency preparedness and action plans; preventative practices; and commander priorities to educate troops.
“I expect your leadership in reassuring our service members, their families, and the American public on the steps being taken to reduce risk of infection among our DOD personnel and their families,” he wrote.