Pentagon Will Deploy Troops to Assist COVID-19 Vaccine Drive

Coronavirus

Pentagon Will Deploy Troops to Assist COVID-19 Vaccine Drive

February 5, 2021

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., takes a photo of, from left, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., during a meeting to discuss a coronavirus relief package, in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon will deploy troops to assist getting Americans vaccinated against COVID-19, the White House said Friday.

Coronavirus senior adviser Andy Slavitt announced that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has approved a request for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It means about 1,000 active duty military personnel will deploy to help state vaccination centers.

President Joe Biden has called for setting up 100 mass vaccination centers around the country within a month. Two are opening in California, and Slavitt said military personnel will arrive at those centers in a little over a week.

The Pentagon has scheduled a news briefing later Friday to provide more information about the military role.

Slavitt said support from the military will play a critical role in supporting vaccination sites, helping administer thousands of shots a day.

Currently about 6.9 million Americans have received the full two-dose regimen required to get maximum protection from the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. That translates to about 2% of the U.S. population.

To reach widespread or "herd" immunity — about 70% to 85% of Americans must be vaccinated. The U.S. is in a race with the virus, which is also spawning mutations that may prove resistant to vaccines.

9 Are Facing Charges in What Police in Canada Say is the Biggest Gold Theft in the Country’s History

TORONTO (AP) — Police said nine people are facing charges in what authorities are calling the biggest gold theft in Canadian history from Toronto’s Pearson International airport a year ago.

Kalamata, Messinia: Apartment for Sale

In seaside KALAMATA, MESSINIA, bright, renovated three-bedroom, 4th floor APARTMENT FOR SALE with built-in kitchen appliances, spacious terraces, awnings, dedicated laundry area and good layout.

Michael Tannousis’s Bill to Repeal Road Charges

STATEN ISLAND, NY - New York State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis has submitted a bill that repeals Congestion Pricing plan of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) was announced by Republican state lawmaker Michalis Tannousis at a press conference held on Monday, April 15, at the Verazzano Bridge monument.

Government’s Priority is the Cconstant Increase in Citizens’ Income, Spokesperson Says

ATHENS - "The absolute priority of the government is the continuous increase in citizens' income with permanent measures, something that becomes even more necessary due to the persistent, imported price spike," government spokesperson, Pavlos Marinakis, said on Thursday during a press briefing held in Thessaloniki.

Reuters Photographer Wins World Press Photo of the Year with Poignant Shot from Gaza

PARIS (AP) — Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem captured this year’s prestigious World Press Photo of the Year award Thursday with a depiction of loss and sorrow in Gaza, a heartrending photo of a Palestinian woman cradling the body of her young niece.

Coronavirus