Georgia orders National Guard to hospitals as virus spreads

[left-of-center2012]

Source: AP news

More than 100 National Guard personnel are being deployed to 20 hospitals across the state to help them deal with the state’s latest surge of COVID-19 cases, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced Tuesday.

The 105 medically trained Guardsmen and women will help staff at hospitals in Atlanta, Macon, Savannah, Brunswick, Albany and other cities across the state, Kemp said in a statement.

“These guardsmen will assist our frontline healthcare workers as they provide quality medical care during the current increase in cases and hospitalizations, and I greatly appreciate General Carden and his team for their willingness to answer the call again in our fight against COVID-19,” Kemp said.

The Guard is coordinating with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Community Health in the effort, Kemp said.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/health-education-georgia-coronavirus-pandemic-68d49b68b7dc73cf6615bc646972a4ec

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Meanwhile, two University of North Georgia lecturers have resigned over concerns about teaching in the classroom during the state’s latest COVID-19 surge.

“I feel that with COVID surging and us being asked to teach our courses face-to-face with potentially unmasked and unvaccinated students that, in my case, I think they are asking me to choose between my job and the health of myself and my family,” Lorraine Buchbinder told The Times of Gainesville.

Buchbinder's colleague — Cornelia Lambert — resigned last week, she said.

Masks and vaccinations are “strongly encouraged, but not mandated,” school spokeswoman Sylvia Carson said. Faculty members can’t require students to wear masks in their classrooms, she said.

[at140]

1. Can't say I blame those 2 for resigning

Life is more important than paychecks.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. It's about damn time they did this

Over a year ago when COVID-19 was raging in the northeast and midatlantic states, we called out the National Guard medical support units to help set up the testing and surge facilities as well as help with some medical triage, etc.

[keithbvadu2]

3. Have the families and like-minded church folks of the rabidly unvaxed sick folks treat their members

Have the families and like-minded church folks of the rabidly unvaxed sick folks treat their members.

[johnthewoodworker]

4. Seems like Republican/Nazi governors can't handle COVID.

[monkeyman1]

10. JUST R & R THEM ! REMOVE & REPLACE ! PRETTY DAMN SIMPLE !!

[mrsadm]

5. I am glad they did this!

I could not imagine working in these conditions and then my kids get covid. Horrible.

[Roc2020]

6. It's getting out of hand here in Ga.

With masks optional how they will get through the school year will be an adventure.

[Deuxcents]

7. These governors

Mine included, won’t do the right thing and yet they call FEMA for reinforcements.. National Guard personel and beg for help. This is requesting others to come to their aid and put their health and lives in danger while they do nothing. Time to really get serious. Send help if they help themselves. This is a man made disaster.. not something Mother Nature gave us.

[TomSlick]

8. I have a concern about mobilizing medical personnel in the Guard.

Guard medical personnel are, for the most part, in practice in the community somewhere. If a Guard doctor or nurse is mobilized, they are taken out of the community they generally serve. To a greater or lesser extent, it will be robbing Peter to pay Paul.

[mpcamb]

12. I imagine it's to shift COSTS to the Federal government (us) from the state of Georgia.

We pick up the tab for their mismanagement.

[TomSlick]

13. Probably not.

When a governor "calls up" the Guard, like in weather emergencies, etc., they are under state orders and the state bears the expense.

I think a governor mobilizing the Guard to deal with the crises in hospitals is a reasonable course. My only point is the personnel are coming from somewhere - probably other hospitals in the state. It is a zero-sum game.

[sellitman]

9. My next grandchild is due in March in Georgia

I'm scared I won't be able to see him until he comes home. That will suck big time.

I'm glad I don't live in this state and I wish my daughter would move back to CT.

[The Jungle 1]

11. No healthcare for people who are not vaccinated!

Teachers are quitting all over the country. Low pay high risk.
I also understand in my area they can't get school bus drivers.

[riversedge]

14. It did not have to be like this--if only the selfish folks had gotten vaccinated!