As the COVID-19 pandemic worsens in Kentucky, National Guard units will provide security support to hospitals throughout the commonwealth.
Governor Andy Beshear directed soldiers and airmen from the Guard to provide “augmentation” at hospitals throughout the state. That includes a physical presence as well as administrative support at the statewide level. Guard Major Stephen Martin said the extra security is not meant to scare anyone, but to be an added layer of protection that calms Kentuckians.
“One of the initiatives that the governor wanted to provide support for the hospitals was just a secondary hand to create a calming presence, and law enforcement augmentation to various hospitals throughout the commonwealth,” Martin said.
Martin said guardsmen stationed at hospitals will remain in their vehicles unless a situation warrants their direct presence. A press release from the Guard said all personnel will maintain proper hygiene and social distancing while on hospital campuses.
The initial deployment consisted of guardsmen stationed at eight Louisville-area hospitals. Martin said more hospitals will be given security support over the coming weeks, including a potential presence in western Kentucky.
“We do believe that we’ll be providing support towards the western Kentucky area,” Martin said. “We anticipate that we’ll be in a variety of hospitals from Paducah to Pikeville.”
Murray-Calloway County Hospital is one of the hospitals in Kentucky undergoing security upgrades in response to COVID-19. MCCH Chief Medical Officer Nicholas O’Dell participated Thursday in a call facilitated by the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce. He said National Guard soldiers are not currently on the hospital’s campus, but “don’t be surprised” if that changes over the coming weeks. He said local law enforcement and Kentucky State Police troopers are currently on campus to assist in their security augmentation.
“Whether it’s COVID-19 or any other illness, when somebody’s family member is sick or when a patient is ill, you’re usually meeting people on their worst day,” O’Dell said. “We all sometimes act irrationally or maybe not in the way we would prefer.”
Hospital security is not the only mission of Kentucky’s National Guard during the COVID-19 crisis. Guardsmen will also be assigned to distribute food to Kentuckians through several major warehouse distributors in the commonwealth including Feeding America and the Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville. Beshear said Guard personnel will sort the food and deliver it with no-touch methods.
"Deployment is going to help feed seniors, families and displaced workers," Beshear said in his daily coronavirus update.
Kentuckians seeking guidance on coronavirus can call the state hotline at 1-800-722-5725. Click here to see the latest updates from state health officials.
