Parson activates Missouri National Guard to help train, coordinate efforts in pandemic
Gov. Mike Parson mobilized the Missouri National Guard on Friday to assist in the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision, announced in a Friday news release, was made after Parson consulted with the state emergency management team. He declared a state of emergency on March 13.
“Mobilizing the National Guard will help us provide more immediate resources to our citizens and enhance Missouri’s ability to overcome this global pandemic,” Parson said in the release.
The use of the National Guard, the release said, will define priorities and help coordinate the effort. It will provide special health and safety training to those who are mobilized. The National Guard has also already received guidance from the Department of Defense and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The National Guard is ready and poised to assist local and state civilian authorities in response to COVID-19,” Brigadier General Levon Cumpton said. “The Guard has flexibility in utilizing resources and deploying them around the state where they are most appropriate.”
The first case of COVID-19 was found in Missouri on March 7. Since then, more than 500 cases have been reported in Missouri and eight have died.
The guard is active until May 15, according to the order, unless it is extended.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 10:35 AM.
