New2: Med unit to deploy to NOLA

President Donald Trump on March 28 gave remarks as the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship loaned to the novel coronavirus cause, departed from Naval Station Norfolk, Va., for New York City, saying the government is working to "vanquish the virus." The 70,000-ton ship is a “message of hope and solidarity” to the people of New York, he added. The ship is expected to arrive at Pier 90 in Manhattan on March 30, three weeks ahead of schedule. Its crew will begin treating non-coronavirus patients March 31. It will be met on the pier by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Trump added, saying Cuomo's "very excited" for the help. (Source: ABC 03/28/20) https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-off-york-bound-usns-comfort-heads-us/story?id=69855088 UPDATE: USNS Comfort arrived in NYC on March 30, and is expected to begin receiving non-COVID 19 patients on March 31. “The last time that this great hospital ship was here was in the wake of 9-11, where she served as respite and comfort for our first responders working around the clock,” said Rear Adm. John Mustin, vice commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, upon the ship's arrival in NYC. “Our message to New Yorkers – now your Navy has returned, and we are with you, committed in this fight.” (After 9-11, USNS Comfort was moored at Pascagoula, Miss., in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.) UPDATE2: A 450-person Navy Medical Unit is on “Prepare to Deploy” orders to go to Texas and New Orleans, according to U.S. Northern Command. The Joint Staff's logistics directorate is working with Transcom and Northcom to transport and sustain Navy expeditionary medical facilities in Dallas and New Orleans. The sailors going to NOLA will report to the treatment facilities being established at the Morial Convention Center.