White House preparing to call on military to boost coronavirus medical response

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - The White House is in talks with the Pentagon about how the military can be deployed to deal with the fast-moving coronavirus, U.S. officials said on Tuesday, including setting up field hospitals in states with a surge in cases.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday at the White House that the Army Corp could deploy field hospitals, known as "MASH" units (mobile army surgical hospital) or help renovate or expand existing hospitals.

Such units can be deployed very quickly at governors' requests, Pence said, adding that he has been in talks with Washington state Governor Jay Inslee.

"The Army Corp of Engineers is ready, willing and able. We have to give them the go-ahead if we find that it's going to be necessary," President Donald Trump said during the same briefing.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/white-house-preparing-to-call-on-military-to-boost-coronavirus-medical-response/ar-BB11jLeq?li=BBnb7Kz

Great idea especially since Joe Biden and Andrew Cuomo both suggested it.