The objections of so many Republican governors to the COVID-19 military mandate raise a question: Could today’s politically divided U.S. have won World War II?
After COVID-19 ‘spike’ in CENTCOM, more vaccine on the way to deployed troops March 10 Troops stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, and in the region saw an uptick in COVID-19 cases in February, according to a medical squadron commander. (Tech. Sgt. John Wilkes/Air Force) In late February, the commander of an Air Force medical squadron deployed to Saudi Arabia posted a video online, noting a “concerning rise” in the number of cases of COVID-19 in that country. The Defense Department and the services have largely kept mum about cases at individual bases, citing operational security concerns, but a Pentagon spokesman confirmed to Military Times on Wednesday that there had been something of a spike last month.
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination unlikely so long as supply remains low, Army health official says February 22
Command Sgt. Maj. Alex Kupratty of the 4th Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, receives his initial dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Jan. 6 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. (Maj. Jason Welch/Army) The coronavirus vaccine remains optional for soldiers, but could become mandatory once the vaccine is issued full Food and Drug Administration licensure or if the president waives the option for service members to opt out. Neither are likely right now, especially given the limited supply of vaccine, so Army leaders are encouraging soldiers who have been prioritized for vaccination to take it. That includes young troops unlikely to become seriously ill from COVID-19 or those who have already caught the virus and recovered from it, since the duration of immunity is unknown.