Leader Involvement Key to Readiness Amidst Virus

Photo By Staff Sgt. Raekwon Jenkins | U.S. Army Pfc. Nereida Lecea and Staff Sgt. Rachel Simmons (right),with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Field Artillery Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment screen soldiers by asking health-related questions regarding coronavirus-19 April 6, 2020. This approach allows the medical team to efficiently screen barracks personnel while maintaining an adequate amount of distance to help prevent the spread of the virus.  

GERMANY

04.02.2020

Story by Pfc. Raekwon Jenkins 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

WIESBADEN, Germany-- Faced with the worldwide COVID-19 epidemic, United States Army Europe leaders used an innovative tactic to ensure the readiness of U.S. Army soldiers living in the barracks.

Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Field Artillery Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, spent four days asking coronavirus-19 screening questions for all soldiers living in barracks on U.S. Army Garrison-Wiesbaden starting April 2, 2020.

The questions ask about recent contact with anyone who has tested positively for contracting COVID-19 and if they are experiencing any symptoms (coughing, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell). They also asked if individuals had been placed on quarantine or isolation status and whether they have been tested for the virus.

While many people were screened with these questions while entering the installation, many living within the barracks were being screened on a less-frequent basis, so local leaders decided to bring the screeners to them.

“When a service member says they are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with the virus, we annotate their information and refer them to Wiesbaden clinic staff who will then contact the individual to schedule testing,” Staff Sgt. Rachel Simmons, a medical platoon sergeant with the unit, said.

The approach allows the medical team to efficiently screen those living in the barracks while maintaining an adequate amount of distance to help prevent the spread of the virus.

“These measures set out for us to follow are to help us overcome this pandemic and get back to normal operating status,” Simmons said. “We all serve a purpose in the military, but if our force is sick, we cannot continue the mission as planned.”

U.S. Army Europe soldiers and leaders are encouraged to practice the following guidance: practice good hygiene, minimize contact with individuals outside of their household, and only making necessary trips to get groceries, gas or appointments.

“Be patient when waiting in handwashing lines and other procedures,” Simmons said. “Remember that we are all fighting for the same end result.”

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the following page: https://www.coronavirus.gov?source=GovDelivery

To see what the U.S. Government is doing about COVID-19, please view the following page:
https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus?source=GovDelivery

-30-

• Date Taken: 04.02.2020
• Date Posted: 04.06.2020 05:33
• Story ID: 366650
• Location: DE