1 00:00:00,290 --> 00:00:02,031 - [Man] Wash your hands. 2 00:00:02,031 --> 00:00:04,911 (papers rustling) 3 00:00:04,911 --> 00:00:06,360 - I think we're at the point where 4 00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:08,887 we're rubbing skin off. (laughs) 5 00:00:08,887 --> 00:00:11,720 (papers rustling) 6 00:00:17,660 --> 00:00:18,493 We good guys? 7 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:22,993 Yes? 8 00:00:22,993 --> 00:00:23,870 Okay, great. 9 00:00:23,870 --> 00:00:28,180 So, today we have for you Colonel Hope Williamson-Younce, 10 00:00:28,180 --> 00:00:33,130 who is the commander of the 627th Hospital Center. 11 00:00:33,130 --> 00:00:35,780 She is currently in Seattle, Washington. 12 00:00:35,780 --> 00:00:38,720 With her today is Lieutenant Colonel Jason Hughes, 13 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,663 he is the commander of the 10th Field Hospital. 14 00:00:42,590 --> 00:00:44,760 Typical ground rules apply, because we've got folks 15 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:47,720 on the phone, we'll do two on the phone, one in the room, 16 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:50,140 and we have about thirty minutes. 17 00:00:50,140 --> 00:00:52,650 So with that, I will turn it over to 18 00:00:52,650 --> 00:00:56,063 Colonel Hope Williamson-Younce for her opening statement. 19 00:00:58,504 --> 00:01:00,950 - [Col. Younce] Good morning. 20 00:01:00,950 --> 00:01:03,740 My name is Colonel Hope Williamson-Younce 21 00:01:03,740 --> 00:01:05,880 and I'm a proud army nurse and 22 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:09,600 commander of the 627th Hospital Center based 23 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,000 in Fort Carson, Colorado. 24 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:13,760 For this forward mission, 25 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:16,670 we fly under the banner of Task Force West 26 00:01:16,670 --> 00:01:20,140 led by Brigadier General Doug Cherry. 27 00:01:20,140 --> 00:01:21,853 We have an important mission. 28 00:01:22,710 --> 00:01:25,950 We are supporting the whole of government approach 29 00:01:25,950 --> 00:01:29,170 to on order, receive non-COVID 30 00:01:29,170 --> 00:01:33,090 coronavirus patients from our surrounding hospitals 31 00:01:33,980 --> 00:01:37,583 in the Seattle, Washington area of responsibility. 32 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,030 Now this will allow those hospitals 33 00:01:41,030 --> 00:01:45,143 increase capacity to take care of COVID patients. 34 00:01:46,350 --> 00:01:49,240 We are establishing and quickly building 35 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:53,600 medical capability and capacity for a role three, 36 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:58,600 250 bed field hospital at CenturyLink Event Center. 37 00:02:01,020 --> 00:02:05,743 We are expeditionary, we're agile, and we're responsive. 38 00:02:06,870 --> 00:02:09,510 We have medical doctors, nurses, and 39 00:02:09,510 --> 00:02:12,360 support staff from all over the world. 40 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:14,626 They mobilized in a moment's notice 41 00:02:14,626 --> 00:02:16,853 to support the American people. 42 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,530 The joint medical task force is 43 00:02:20,530 --> 00:02:22,763 comprised of many different elements. 44 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:27,290 627th Hospital Center's 10th Field Hospital, 45 00:02:27,290 --> 00:02:30,720 brings the 148 bed capability, 46 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:32,963 led by Lieutenant Colonel Jason Hughes. 47 00:02:34,010 --> 00:02:36,760 And there's two other elements from the 48 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:41,540 62nd Medical Brigade, led by Colonel Laura Elliot 49 00:02:41,540 --> 00:02:45,220 and they are based out of joint base Lewis-Mchord Seattle, 50 00:02:45,220 --> 00:02:47,590 which gives us the home court advantage. 51 00:02:47,590 --> 00:02:50,420 We have the 47th combat support hospital 52 00:02:50,420 --> 00:02:52,740 and this is led by Colonel Amal Chatila 53 00:02:53,750 --> 00:02:57,010 and the 520th Area Support Medical Company 54 00:02:57,010 --> 00:02:59,083 and this is led by Will Mackey. 55 00:02:59,990 --> 00:03:01,590 So we look forward to providing 56 00:03:01,590 --> 00:03:05,310 world class health care and we are glad to be here. 57 00:03:05,310 --> 00:03:06,723 This is why we exist. 58 00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:09,260 I will be followed by Lieutenant Colonel 59 00:03:09,260 --> 00:03:12,123 Jason Hughes, Field Hospital commander. 60 00:03:14,033 --> 00:03:14,866 - [Lieutenant Colonel Hughes] Good morning, 61 00:03:14,866 --> 00:03:15,699 ladies and gentleman. 62 00:03:15,699 --> 00:03:17,371 Lieutenant Colonel Jason Hughes here, 63 00:03:17,371 --> 00:03:18,510 commander of the 10th Field Hospital 64 00:03:18,510 --> 00:03:20,520 out of Fort Carson, Colorado. 65 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:24,390 We exist to save and sustain lives anywhere in the world. 66 00:03:24,390 --> 00:03:27,450 We prepare for missions like this day to day, 67 00:03:27,450 --> 00:03:30,140 in the field where we set up our field gear 68 00:03:30,140 --> 00:03:32,780 or in our medical treatment facilities world wide 69 00:03:32,780 --> 00:03:35,180 like Colonel Williamson-Younce spoke to earlier. 70 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:39,550 Our clinicians, our soldiers work day to day 71 00:03:39,550 --> 00:03:43,235 in those D.O.D. facilities which are training platforms. 72 00:03:43,235 --> 00:03:47,380 We bring 148 of the 250 beds here 73 00:03:47,380 --> 00:03:50,200 at CenturyLink to bare from Colorado. 74 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:53,600 That includes an emergency room, operating suite, 75 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:58,600 lab, microbiology, blood banking capability, x-ray, 76 00:03:58,810 --> 00:04:02,320 mental health, and ministry services. 77 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,220 Also 100 intermediate care wards 78 00:04:05,220 --> 00:04:07,510 and 40 intensive care units. 79 00:04:07,510 --> 00:04:09,330 And what I like to characterize this 80 00:04:09,330 --> 00:04:13,400 is a one stop shop for your mind, body, and soul. 81 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:15,490 And this is an important mission for us. 82 00:04:15,490 --> 00:04:17,010 First, I grew up in Washington state. 83 00:04:17,010 --> 00:04:19,217 To be able to come back here to my home 84 00:04:19,217 --> 00:04:20,930 and serve the American people 85 00:04:20,930 --> 00:04:22,830 is an opportunity of a life time. 86 00:04:22,830 --> 00:04:25,330 But these soldiers are excited to be here 87 00:04:25,330 --> 00:04:26,430 and do their mission. 88 00:04:26,430 --> 00:04:29,810 That's why they signed up to serve the nation, 89 00:04:29,810 --> 00:04:31,260 raise their right hand and come 90 00:04:31,260 --> 00:04:32,750 and serve the American people. 91 00:04:32,750 --> 00:04:34,820 Whether that's abroad or, in this case, at home. 92 00:04:34,820 --> 00:04:37,560 And so, we're excited to open up beds 93 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:39,680 for those non-COVID patients to come here 94 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:43,080 and get the world class care that we provide daily 95 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:46,880 in our NPS and then allow people that have COVID 96 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:50,763 to access the care so we can save as many lives as possible. 97 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,219 I think now we'll open up for questions. 98 00:04:56,219 --> 00:04:58,813 - Great. The first question goes to Lida on the phone. 99 00:05:01,270 --> 00:05:04,820 - [Lida] Hi, thanks. This is Lida Baldor with AP. 100 00:05:04,820 --> 00:05:07,930 Can you tell us, number one, how many 101 00:05:07,930 --> 00:05:11,200 total medical personnel you have? 102 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:15,330 If you have started accepting patients yet 103 00:05:15,330 --> 00:05:17,130 and what do you see as the challenges? 104 00:05:17,130 --> 00:05:19,790 What are you hearing from the hospitals 105 00:05:19,790 --> 00:05:23,420 as far as what patients you would be able to expect 106 00:05:24,556 --> 00:05:26,580 and how quickly you could expect them? 107 00:05:26,580 --> 00:05:27,413 Thank you. 108 00:05:28,660 --> 00:05:29,930 - [Lt. Col. Hughes] Yes, ma'am. Great question. 109 00:05:29,930 --> 00:05:31,140 Lieutenant Colonel Hughes here. 110 00:05:31,140 --> 00:05:34,140 So we have about 500 medical professionals 111 00:05:34,140 --> 00:05:37,430 on the ground setting up the hospital currently. 112 00:05:37,430 --> 00:05:39,680 Some of the challenges that we face here 113 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:42,630 is that when we go to war, we set up on the field. 114 00:05:42,630 --> 00:05:46,180 We set up in tents, we construct a tent city 115 00:05:46,180 --> 00:05:49,050 and we have beds that are close, near to each other 116 00:05:49,050 --> 00:05:52,910 so privacy concerns that we have for civilian patients, 117 00:05:52,910 --> 00:05:55,490 we're constructing barriers in between the beds that we 118 00:05:55,490 --> 00:05:58,810 wouldn't normally have in a field setting. 119 00:05:58,810 --> 00:06:00,370 Some of the other things that we're working with 120 00:06:00,370 --> 00:06:04,070 are noise abatement for oxygen generation systems 121 00:06:04,070 --> 00:06:05,850 and our power systems to make sure that 122 00:06:05,850 --> 00:06:08,860 the civilians that come here have a experience 123 00:06:08,860 --> 00:06:12,680 commensurate with what they'd have at a local hospital here. 124 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:15,578 We have not seen patients yet but we're 125 00:06:15,578 --> 00:06:18,447 still currently in the build phase of the hospital 126 00:06:18,447 --> 00:06:21,637 and as far as what patients we expect to see coming here, 127 00:06:21,637 --> 00:06:25,640 those discussions will be had clinical specialty 128 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:27,900 to clinical specialty with those local hospitals 129 00:06:27,900 --> 00:06:29,970 to make sure that we have the capability 130 00:06:29,970 --> 00:06:32,404 to support those patients that come in here. 131 00:06:32,404 --> 00:06:34,530 The standard of care will be the same. 132 00:06:34,530 --> 00:06:36,410 We just want to make sure we have those specialties 133 00:06:36,410 --> 00:06:38,170 and we understand that needs of the patients 134 00:06:38,170 --> 00:06:41,220 so that that care that they receive here 135 00:06:41,220 --> 00:06:43,190 is the same they would at the local hospital 136 00:06:43,190 --> 00:06:45,300 they're being referred to us by. 137 00:06:45,300 --> 00:06:48,130 So, what's important to note is we will not 138 00:06:48,130 --> 00:06:51,120 have an open ER like a normal hospital would have. 139 00:06:51,120 --> 00:06:54,380 We are a referral facility for those local hospitals 140 00:06:54,380 --> 00:06:58,480 to off-load patients from their beds into our facility 141 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:02,313 to open up beds for COVID patients in the local facilities. 142 00:07:04,590 --> 00:07:06,340 - Thank you, next we'll go to Tara. 143 00:07:08,310 --> 00:07:11,740 - [Tara] Hi, thank you. Tara Copp with McClatchy. 144 00:07:11,740 --> 00:07:13,620 To follow up on Lida's question, 145 00:07:13,620 --> 00:07:15,560 do you have a timeline for when you think 146 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:17,650 you'll take on your first patients? 147 00:07:17,650 --> 00:07:21,900 And then, more broadly, there's been some concerns 148 00:07:21,900 --> 00:07:25,880 that these hospitals and the hospital ships themselves, 149 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,420 are just going to treat non-COVID when 150 00:07:28,420 --> 00:07:30,060 the strain on the hospitals is really 151 00:07:30,060 --> 00:07:32,250 the COVID patients, especially since 152 00:07:32,250 --> 00:07:34,933 all of the elective surgeries have been postponed. 153 00:07:36,290 --> 00:07:39,030 Are there any discussions to, maybe, convert 154 00:07:39,030 --> 00:07:42,240 this Field Hospital to be able to take on COVID patients 155 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,340 because that might be really, the overflow 156 00:07:45,424 --> 00:07:47,203 that pushes the Washington state hospitals? 157 00:07:49,918 --> 00:07:52,818 - [Col. Younce] So, ma'am, this is Hope Williamson-Younce. 158 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:57,053 That's another great question. 159 00:07:57,940 --> 00:08:00,150 So at this time, I can speak to 160 00:08:00,150 --> 00:08:02,910 the 627th Hospital Center mission 161 00:08:02,910 --> 00:08:05,220 and the 10th Field Hospital mission 162 00:08:05,220 --> 00:08:09,290 and that is to take non-COVID 163 00:08:09,290 --> 00:08:13,490 patients in the 10th and the 627th Hospital Center. 164 00:08:13,490 --> 00:08:18,490 So this truly, this 250 bed will relieve 165 00:08:19,620 --> 00:08:23,590 that burden, if you will, on our civilian hospitals 166 00:08:23,590 --> 00:08:26,730 and they will have the freedom of maneuver 167 00:08:26,730 --> 00:08:28,640 to then have the capability to 168 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:32,090 take care of those COVID patients. 169 00:08:32,090 --> 00:08:35,850 And so that is the best place, I am a nurse practitioner, 170 00:08:35,850 --> 00:08:39,720 so that is the best place for those patients to be, 171 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:43,633 inside the fixed facility, in a controlled environment. 172 00:08:44,490 --> 00:08:47,390 However, we will do the screening here at the door 173 00:08:47,390 --> 00:08:52,073 to make sure that we do not receive COVID-19 patients. 174 00:08:53,380 --> 00:08:57,640 If we do, by chance, we are prepared 175 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,940 to isolate those patients and then, again, 176 00:09:00,940 --> 00:09:03,900 treat them with the same care, dignity, and respect 177 00:09:03,900 --> 00:09:06,570 and get them back in our fixed facilities, 178 00:09:06,570 --> 00:09:07,593 if that makes sense. 179 00:09:10,216 --> 00:09:11,049 - Right, go ahead Tara first. 180 00:09:11,049 --> 00:09:12,870 - [Tara] Sure, and thank you for that. 181 00:09:12,870 --> 00:09:16,310 I guess as a follow up, are there any discussions 182 00:09:16,310 --> 00:09:18,380 or would you be able to convert 183 00:09:18,380 --> 00:09:22,070 to a COVID treatment facility if that's 184 00:09:22,070 --> 00:09:24,128 really where the need is? 185 00:09:24,128 --> 00:09:26,010 Some of these Washington state hospitals, 186 00:09:26,010 --> 00:09:28,030 although there was initial strain after all the 187 00:09:28,030 --> 00:09:32,270 elective surgeries were postponed, have ample room right now 188 00:09:32,270 --> 00:09:36,570 and if they get overrun by anything it could be COVID cases. 189 00:09:36,570 --> 00:09:38,170 Thank you very much, by the way. 190 00:09:39,146 --> 00:09:41,260 - [Col. Williamson-Younce] Yes, my pleasure. 191 00:09:41,260 --> 00:09:45,850 Understand, your question, that's a policy question 192 00:09:45,850 --> 00:09:47,820 for the Department of Defense. 193 00:09:47,820 --> 00:09:51,300 I can only speak to the 627th Hospital Center, 194 00:09:51,300 --> 00:09:56,090 10th field hospital assigned mission at this time. 195 00:09:56,090 --> 00:09:58,340 - Thank you, Hope. We'll go to Tom here in the room. 196 00:09:58,340 --> 00:09:59,740 - It's Tom Bowman with NPR. 197 00:09:59,740 --> 00:10:04,380 You talked about 250 beds, they'll be at the 198 00:10:04,380 --> 00:10:06,000 CenturyLink Center, is that right? 199 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,070 And also, do you have the ability to expand 200 00:10:08,070 --> 00:10:11,723 beyond the 250 or would you have to call in other units? 201 00:10:17,140 --> 00:10:20,200 - [Lt. Con. Hughes] So sir, yes, all 250 beds 202 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:22,406 will be here at the CenturyLink Field. 203 00:10:22,406 --> 00:10:24,533 If there was an expansion capability, 204 00:10:25,455 --> 00:10:28,150 there would be a need more clinicians 205 00:10:28,150 --> 00:10:30,460 to fulfill that capability. 206 00:10:30,460 --> 00:10:33,070 So that's really FEMA, between FEMA and 207 00:10:33,070 --> 00:10:35,730 the states to determine that. 208 00:10:35,730 --> 00:10:37,410 But as far as what brought to bare 209 00:10:37,410 --> 00:10:39,910 here at CenturyLink, those are the providers 210 00:10:39,910 --> 00:10:44,113 and the soldiers and the capability we have here currently. 211 00:10:45,124 --> 00:10:47,340 - Since, Seattle is a hotspot, 212 00:10:47,340 --> 00:10:48,920 I'm sure someone is doing projections, 213 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:50,860 either at a state level or at FEMA. 214 00:10:50,860 --> 00:10:53,760 Do you expect that there will be a greater need there? 215 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:57,310 And then finally, who runs the CenturyLink Center? 216 00:10:57,310 --> 00:10:59,363 Is that a city facility, is it private? 217 00:11:03,810 --> 00:11:06,270 - [Lt. Col. Hughes] Yeah, as far as the projection, 218 00:11:06,270 --> 00:11:09,180 I think that the Department of Health and the CDC 219 00:11:09,180 --> 00:11:13,290 have those projection numbers, so I would defer to them. 220 00:11:13,290 --> 00:11:16,200 As far as who runs the facility here, 221 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:17,900 so we're working hand in hand with the staff 222 00:11:17,900 --> 00:11:20,690 here at CenturyLink which, obviously, 223 00:11:20,690 --> 00:11:22,070 works with the Seattle Seahawks. 224 00:11:22,070 --> 00:11:25,420 As far as who owns it, I am unaware of that 225 00:11:25,420 --> 00:11:29,330 but I know that FEMA and the CenturyLink Events Center 226 00:11:29,330 --> 00:11:31,940 are working hand in hand to make sure 227 00:11:31,940 --> 00:11:33,190 we have everything we need to 228 00:11:33,190 --> 00:11:36,038 support the people here in Washington state. 229 00:11:36,038 --> 00:11:38,638 - Are they renting that facility, do you know, FEMA? 230 00:11:40,107 --> 00:11:42,480 - [Col. Williamson-Younce] Contracted. Yes, sir. 231 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:47,433 This is Hope Williamson-Younce again and that's correct. 232 00:11:48,340 --> 00:11:52,795 This facility is being contracted by FEMA. 233 00:11:52,795 --> 00:11:54,945 - Great. We'll go to Courtney on the phone. 234 00:11:58,780 --> 00:12:00,300 - [Courtney] Hi, thank you. 235 00:12:00,300 --> 00:12:01,650 It's Courtney Kube from NBC News. 236 00:12:01,650 --> 00:12:03,233 Just to follow, on the, 237 00:12:04,100 --> 00:12:07,520 do you have any respirators in this facility? 238 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:11,670 So, if in fact, you were changed to a COVID 239 00:12:11,670 --> 00:12:14,100 mission, you would be able to treat patients. 240 00:12:14,100 --> 00:12:18,320 And then you mentioned, ma'am, that you're 241 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:20,820 screening the patients as they come in, 242 00:12:20,820 --> 00:12:21,930 which is different than what we've 243 00:12:21,930 --> 00:12:23,030 learned from the hospital ships, 244 00:12:23,030 --> 00:12:24,860 where the hospitals that transfer 245 00:12:24,860 --> 00:12:26,450 the patients over have to do the screening. 246 00:12:26,450 --> 00:12:28,430 And they include the full on COVID test 247 00:12:28,430 --> 00:12:29,750 and unless someone comes back negative 248 00:12:29,750 --> 00:12:31,350 they aren't transferred to the hospital ship. 249 00:12:31,350 --> 00:12:34,010 So, I just wanted to be sure I understood that correctly, 250 00:12:34,010 --> 00:12:38,310 that patients are not screened or tested for coronavirus 251 00:12:38,310 --> 00:12:40,000 before they're actually brought to the hospital. 252 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:40,833 Is that correct? 253 00:12:42,563 --> 00:12:43,840 - [Col. Williamson-Younce] No, ma'am. 254 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:46,428 It was your former, as you said, 255 00:12:46,428 --> 00:12:50,690 the patients that are being transferred from the hospital, 256 00:12:50,690 --> 00:12:54,470 they're screened and they're cleared prior to getting 257 00:12:54,470 --> 00:12:59,450 to the tent field hospital center here, 258 00:12:59,450 --> 00:13:02,070 to our 250 bed field hospital. 259 00:13:02,070 --> 00:13:06,650 Again, out of an abundance of precautions, 260 00:13:06,650 --> 00:13:10,730 when they get to the door here, we screen them again, 261 00:13:10,730 --> 00:13:13,260 to ensure that they don't have a temperature 262 00:13:14,150 --> 00:13:17,780 and we also do the questionnaire from the CDC 263 00:13:17,780 --> 00:13:20,430 to make sure that these patients are not high risk. 264 00:13:20,430 --> 00:13:22,680 So, out of an abundance of caution, again, 265 00:13:22,680 --> 00:13:25,650 we'll screen them before we take them into the facility 266 00:13:25,650 --> 00:13:28,120 to make sure that we keep the soldiers 267 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:31,260 and the medical staff here safe. 268 00:13:31,260 --> 00:13:33,970 And then to answer your other question, 269 00:13:33,970 --> 00:13:36,810 you talked about respirators or ventilators 270 00:13:36,810 --> 00:13:40,750 I believe what you were speaking to. 271 00:13:40,750 --> 00:13:44,236 - [Courtney Kube] I'm sorry, I always mix those two up. 272 00:13:44,236 --> 00:13:46,035 (laughs) Yes, ma'am. 273 00:13:46,035 --> 00:13:47,980 - [Col. Williamson Younce] For the respirators 274 00:13:47,980 --> 00:13:49,940 and the M95 mask, we have all of our personal 275 00:13:49,940 --> 00:13:51,160 protective equipment here. 276 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:54,530 So that answers that one, here for the staff to 277 00:13:54,530 --> 00:13:59,530 provide that safe care and to keep our staff safe. 278 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:04,640 But the ventilators, we have 60 fully mission capable 279 00:14:06,630 --> 00:14:10,990 ventilators here and we can provide 280 00:14:10,990 --> 00:14:14,073 60 beds, ventilator beds. 281 00:14:15,837 --> 00:14:16,670 - [Main Speaker] Great, thanks. 282 00:14:16,670 --> 00:14:18,761 - [Courtney Kube] Okay, great. And just to be clear, 283 00:14:18,761 --> 00:14:19,660 when you say that you're 284 00:14:19,660 --> 00:14:20,493 screening the patients when they get there, 285 00:14:20,493 --> 00:14:21,890 both at the hospital they're being screened 286 00:14:21,890 --> 00:14:22,980 and then when they get there, 287 00:14:22,980 --> 00:14:25,650 you mean with the temperature checks and the questionnaire 288 00:14:25,650 --> 00:14:27,870 but, at any point, are people actually- 289 00:14:27,870 --> 00:14:29,640 do they have to test negative. 290 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:32,320 Like actually go through a COVID-19 test 291 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:34,270 and come back negative before they're even 292 00:14:34,270 --> 00:14:35,870 transferred out of the hospital? 293 00:14:37,207 --> 00:14:40,210 - [Col. Williamson-Younce] Great clarifying question, ma'am. 294 00:14:40,210 --> 00:14:42,740 They do not, so we just want to make sure 295 00:14:42,740 --> 00:14:46,220 they've already been screened at the standing hospital, 296 00:14:46,220 --> 00:14:49,470 again, that out of abundance of precaution, 297 00:14:49,470 --> 00:14:53,763 we screen them again and then we do the CDC questionnaire. 298 00:14:54,740 --> 00:14:57,090 - Okay we'll go to Sylvia on the phone, please. 299 00:14:59,930 --> 00:15:01,330 Sylvia on the phone, please. 300 00:15:03,340 --> 00:15:05,109 - [Sylvia] Did you call me? 301 00:15:05,109 --> 00:15:06,430 - Oui. 302 00:15:06,430 --> 00:15:07,263 - [Sylvia] Okay. 303 00:15:07,263 --> 00:15:09,287 This is Sylvia from ASP. 304 00:15:11,420 --> 00:15:15,770 Actually, I, Courtney asked my question 305 00:15:15,770 --> 00:15:20,427 but, in that case, if they don't get any 306 00:15:22,060 --> 00:15:27,060 COVID-19 tests before getting to your hospital, 307 00:15:27,930 --> 00:15:32,640 you can suspect, that at some point, you will get 308 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:35,663 some COVID-19 infected patients. 309 00:15:37,550 --> 00:15:38,750 Do I understand well? 310 00:15:40,140 --> 00:15:40,980 - [Lt. Col. Hughes] So, yes, ma'am. 311 00:15:40,980 --> 00:15:44,960 I think, when we look at the patients 312 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:46,870 that come through the door, we'll still have the 313 00:15:46,870 --> 00:15:50,300 personal protective equipment and we'll do the screening. 314 00:15:50,300 --> 00:15:53,450 What's important to note is we're still in discussions 315 00:15:53,450 --> 00:15:54,860 with the local facilities here 316 00:15:54,860 --> 00:15:56,810 on how exactly that's gonna work. 317 00:15:56,810 --> 00:15:59,970 So, we're doing what we call rehearsal of concept 318 00:15:59,970 --> 00:16:02,290 or battle drills in the military, 319 00:16:02,290 --> 00:16:03,760 really standard operating procedures 320 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,840 of how each one of the hospitals, 321 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:11,840 local to us, will refer or feed patients into this facility. 322 00:16:11,890 --> 00:16:14,510 So, we got on the ground, I believe Wednesday 323 00:16:14,510 --> 00:16:16,050 was our ADVON. 324 00:16:16,050 --> 00:16:18,860 Last week, Friday was our, what we call main body, 325 00:16:18,860 --> 00:16:20,900 or where the majority of our troops showed up 326 00:16:20,900 --> 00:16:23,010 and so, while we're building this hospital, 327 00:16:23,010 --> 00:16:26,510 we have the clinical teams integrated 328 00:16:26,510 --> 00:16:28,500 and discussing with the Department of Health 329 00:16:28,500 --> 00:16:31,640 here in Washington state in the local medical community 330 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:35,180 to make sure that we do this the right way 331 00:16:35,180 --> 00:16:37,340 and the patients that come here get the care 332 00:16:37,340 --> 00:16:40,586 they deserve without compromising this facility. 333 00:16:40,586 --> 00:16:43,233 If that helps answer that question or clarify. 334 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:45,360 - [Sylvia] Yes, thank you. 335 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:47,135 - Great. We'll go to Jen in the room, please. 336 00:16:47,135 --> 00:16:47,968 - [Lt. Col. Hughes] Yes, ma'am. 337 00:16:47,968 --> 00:16:49,580 - Jennifer Griffin from Fox News. 338 00:16:49,580 --> 00:16:52,160 So, just if you could state clearly, 339 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:54,730 right now, you're still in negotiations 340 00:16:54,730 --> 00:16:58,560 with how you will test the patients in the hospital 341 00:16:58,560 --> 00:17:00,220 before they are transferred over. 342 00:17:00,220 --> 00:17:02,370 Do you expect and are you demanding 343 00:17:02,370 --> 00:17:05,698 that they have a negative test, 344 00:17:05,698 --> 00:17:08,200 either that comes back within hours 345 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,630 or sometimes it's taking days, before they transfer? 346 00:17:11,630 --> 00:17:15,240 And then second, you say you have 60 mission capable 347 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:16,900 ventilators but yet you're not 348 00:17:16,900 --> 00:17:18,920 going to be getting COVID patients, 349 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,443 wouldn't those ventilators be better used elsewhere? 350 00:17:25,687 --> 00:17:26,960 - [Col Williamson-Younce] Well, I'll let 351 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:28,580 Lieutenant Colonel Jason Hughes 352 00:17:28,580 --> 00:17:30,450 answer the first part of the question 353 00:17:30,450 --> 00:17:32,440 and I'll answer the second part 354 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:34,823 of the question for the ventilator use. 355 00:17:36,010 --> 00:17:37,368 - [Lt. Col. Hughes] So, ma'am, 356 00:17:37,368 --> 00:17:39,960 As far as our negotiations I don't know 357 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:41,880 if I would consider those negotiations, 358 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:44,490 more discussing how we take care 359 00:17:44,490 --> 00:17:45,870 of those individual patients. 360 00:17:45,870 --> 00:17:49,210 So right now our mission, as we know it from FEMA, 361 00:17:49,210 --> 00:17:52,530 is to take care of non-COVID-19 patients. 362 00:17:52,530 --> 00:17:54,420 And so that frees up beds and I understand 363 00:17:54,420 --> 00:17:57,250 the concern of the hospitals being overwhelmed 364 00:17:57,250 --> 00:18:00,050 by COVID-19 patients but when we 365 00:18:00,050 --> 00:18:01,770 relieve the stress on those beds, 366 00:18:01,770 --> 00:18:03,820 it allows them to repurpose some 367 00:18:03,820 --> 00:18:06,280 of their clinical specialties in those hospitals 368 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:08,280 to then focus on the COVID-19. 369 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:10,180 So, that's one of our missions piers 370 00:18:10,180 --> 00:18:12,270 to release the stress on the health system 371 00:18:12,270 --> 00:18:13,560 and that's one way we can do that, 372 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:17,420 by taking those low acuity, mid-acuity, or high acuity 373 00:18:17,420 --> 00:18:20,100 patients here that do not have COVID. 374 00:18:20,100 --> 00:18:22,770 And so I can't speak to exactly how that's going to work 375 00:18:22,770 --> 00:18:25,210 because, again, we're the clinicians 376 00:18:25,210 --> 00:18:26,760 that deal with this day to day, 377 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:29,570 the public health officials are working on 378 00:18:29,570 --> 00:18:33,050 how that referral process is going to work, 379 00:18:33,050 --> 00:18:34,820 to make sure that this hospital does 380 00:18:34,820 --> 00:18:37,000 what it's asked to do by FEMA. 381 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:39,753 And I'll be followed by Colonel Williamson-Younce. 382 00:18:41,037 --> 00:18:44,010 - [Col Younce] So, Hope Williamson-Younce here again. 383 00:18:44,010 --> 00:18:46,630 As Lieutenant Colonel Hughes stated, 384 00:18:46,630 --> 00:18:51,630 this role three facility for the 250 beds, 385 00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:55,660 the capability is to provide low 386 00:18:55,660 --> 00:18:58,890 through the high acuity care for our patients. 387 00:18:58,890 --> 00:19:02,520 So, should we need those 60 ventilators, 388 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:06,390 we are prepared to utilize them. 389 00:19:06,390 --> 00:19:10,160 But, again, with the role three capability, those are 390 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:14,520 integral to what we're providing here on the ground. 391 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:15,950 - Go to Ryan, please. 392 00:19:15,950 --> 00:19:16,850 - Thanks. Colonel Hughes, 393 00:19:16,850 --> 00:19:19,010 sorry I might have missed this 394 00:19:19,010 --> 00:19:21,500 but did you say when you will be able to 395 00:19:21,500 --> 00:19:23,460 start receiving patients and when do 396 00:19:23,460 --> 00:19:26,440 you expect to start receiving patients? 397 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:28,090 And then I had a quick follow up. 398 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:32,710 - [Lt. Col. Hughes] Yes, sir. So, we're 399 00:19:33,689 --> 00:19:35,410 in the middle of building the hospital right now. 400 00:19:35,410 --> 00:19:37,113 I believe, early next week is when 401 00:19:37,113 --> 00:19:40,193 we will be available to receive patients. 402 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:45,470 But, again, right now, we're basically a construction zone, 403 00:19:45,470 --> 00:19:47,680 putting up all of the military capability 404 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:51,180 and then supplementing those with the patient privacy 405 00:19:51,180 --> 00:19:52,890 and infection control procedures here. 406 00:19:52,890 --> 00:19:57,350 So, we expect to be ready to go early next week. 407 00:19:57,350 --> 00:19:59,650 - And do you anticipate- 408 00:19:59,650 --> 00:20:00,600 just two quick follow ups. 409 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:02,880 Do you anticipate patients arriving right away 410 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:03,900 or do you still need to kind of 411 00:20:03,900 --> 00:20:08,760 work out the referral process with the local hospitals? 412 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:12,320 And that 500 you mentioned, is that going to be 413 00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:15,614 the steady state presence when the hospital's at IOC 414 00:20:15,614 --> 00:20:19,203 or is that gonna go down once construction's finished? 415 00:20:20,770 --> 00:20:22,100 - [Lt. Col. Hughes] No, sir. That's the 416 00:20:22,100 --> 00:20:24,780 steady state number, about 500 packs here. 417 00:20:24,780 --> 00:20:27,370 So, we use those same soldiers to build the hospital 418 00:20:27,370 --> 00:20:28,983 as we do to staff the hospital. 419 00:20:29,830 --> 00:20:31,763 And then, your first question is, 420 00:20:32,890 --> 00:20:34,570 while we're building the hospital 421 00:20:34,570 --> 00:20:37,979 a lot of our clinical staff is working with the local, 422 00:20:37,979 --> 00:20:40,960 you know, medical facilities here 423 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:43,170 and the Department of Health and FEMA 424 00:20:43,170 --> 00:20:44,670 to make sure that we do that right. 425 00:20:44,670 --> 00:20:46,610 So, when we say we're open for business, 426 00:20:46,610 --> 00:20:49,550 that means we're available to receive patients. 427 00:20:49,550 --> 00:20:52,490 Now whether the hospitals off-load patients to us 428 00:20:52,490 --> 00:20:56,270 immediately, that remains to be seen based on how many 429 00:20:56,270 --> 00:20:58,460 the numbers that are going through those doors there. 430 00:20:58,460 --> 00:21:00,220 But we'll be ready. 431 00:21:00,220 --> 00:21:01,260 Whether they come or not, we'll 432 00:21:01,260 --> 00:21:05,687 see what the local network can handle. 433 00:21:05,687 --> 00:21:08,390 But we'll be ready to go early next week. 434 00:21:08,390 --> 00:21:09,866 - [Ryan] Excellent, thank you. 435 00:21:09,866 --> 00:21:11,303 - Great, we'll go to Terace on the line. 436 00:21:12,740 --> 00:21:14,730 - Yes, hi. This is Terace Garnier with Newsy. 437 00:21:14,730 --> 00:21:17,078 Thank you so much for taking my question. 438 00:21:17,078 --> 00:21:20,610 I just wanted to get clarified the numbers that you stated. 439 00:21:20,610 --> 00:21:23,390 I believe you said it was a 148 beds, 440 00:21:23,390 --> 00:21:27,110 100 intermediate care wards, and 40 ICU units. 441 00:21:27,110 --> 00:21:27,943 Is that correct? 442 00:21:29,370 --> 00:21:31,370 - [Lt. Col. Huhges] Ma'am, it's 48 ICUs 443 00:21:31,370 --> 00:21:35,570 but that's just my part of the hospital. 444 00:21:35,570 --> 00:21:40,450 So, of the 250 beds here, I bring 148 of those 445 00:21:40,450 --> 00:21:41,837 and that's what they have. 446 00:21:41,837 --> 00:21:45,230 The 47 cash brings another 84 beds, 447 00:21:45,230 --> 00:21:49,794 24 of those are ICU and 60 are ICW 448 00:21:49,794 --> 00:21:53,530 and then, the 520th medical company area support 449 00:21:53,530 --> 00:21:56,080 also out of joint based Lewis-McChord 450 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:58,110 brings 40 minimal care beds. 451 00:21:58,110 --> 00:22:01,583 And so that's what we'll have here in total. 452 00:22:03,630 --> 00:22:04,800 - [Terace Garnier] Thank you. 453 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:07,010 - Okay, we'll go to Jeff on the line. 454 00:22:09,813 --> 00:22:11,147 - [Jeff] Thank you very much. 455 00:22:11,147 --> 00:22:13,040 This is Jeff Schogol with Task & Purpose. 456 00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:14,990 I wanted to follow up on the question 457 00:22:14,990 --> 00:22:17,770 from my colleague at Fox News. 458 00:22:17,770 --> 00:22:22,480 I understand that you have the full spectrum of capabilities 459 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:26,160 at this hospital but given the dire need of ventilators, 460 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:28,850 and unfortunately I'm very well acquainted 461 00:22:28,850 --> 00:22:31,150 with what ventilators are used for, 462 00:22:31,150 --> 00:22:34,160 why not provide the 60 ventilator beds 463 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:36,023 to local hospitals? Thank you. 464 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:41,670 - [Lt. Williamson-Younce] Sir, that's just a great question 465 00:22:41,670 --> 00:22:45,283 and forward thinking on your part, but again, 466 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:50,220 we've been assigned this mission 467 00:22:50,220 --> 00:22:53,100 to provide that full spectrum capability 468 00:22:53,100 --> 00:22:56,540 of low acuity to high acuity 469 00:22:56,540 --> 00:23:00,820 with a requirement space of providing ventilated beds. 470 00:23:00,820 --> 00:23:03,970 So, to move forward, in the way ahead 471 00:23:03,970 --> 00:23:07,520 that is a policy question for the Department of Defense 472 00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:10,240 and I can only speak to the 627th Hospital Center 473 00:23:10,240 --> 00:23:13,023 and 10th Field Hospital assigned missions. 474 00:23:15,230 --> 00:23:16,820 - Great. We'll go to Tom in the room. 475 00:23:16,820 --> 00:23:18,580 - Yeah, it's Tom Bowman again with NPR. 476 00:23:18,580 --> 00:23:21,573 Colonel, you know, Seattle again, is a hotspot. 477 00:23:22,760 --> 00:23:25,860 The volume of patients coming into the Seattle hospitals 478 00:23:25,860 --> 00:23:28,130 are COVID-19 folks. 479 00:23:28,130 --> 00:23:29,320 You're likely to see hundreds, 480 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:31,040 if not thousands in the coming weeks. 481 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:35,090 So, if you're not accepting any COVID-19 people, 482 00:23:35,090 --> 00:23:38,150 and I'm sure everybody is happy to have 250 beds, 483 00:23:38,150 --> 00:23:41,063 it seems you're not addressing the real need in Seattle. 484 00:23:45,701 --> 00:23:48,220 - [Col. Williamson-Younce] Sir, I appreciate your 485 00:23:48,220 --> 00:23:51,938 questions and your calmness and, again, 486 00:23:51,938 --> 00:23:56,210 we don't know what that patient load will be 487 00:23:56,210 --> 00:24:00,230 from the surrounding hospitals and indeed, 488 00:24:00,230 --> 00:24:03,170 just to give you a picture here, 489 00:24:03,170 --> 00:24:05,330 we can receive patients that may have 490 00:24:05,330 --> 00:24:10,320 respiratory difficulty or some other kind of disease state 491 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:14,080 that require ventilation and so we have to be 492 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:16,930 prepared to provide that great care. 493 00:24:16,930 --> 00:24:19,630 So, again, moving forward, that would be 494 00:24:19,630 --> 00:24:22,303 a Department of Defense question. 495 00:24:23,420 --> 00:24:26,900 Again, we can only speak to the 627th Hospital Center, 496 00:24:26,900 --> 00:24:30,390 10th Field Hospital assigned mission set here on the ground. 497 00:24:30,390 --> 00:24:32,600 - And you're in touch, obviously with 498 00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:35,650 health providers in Seattle. 499 00:24:35,650 --> 00:24:37,610 Are they giving you any sense of the numbers, 500 00:24:37,610 --> 00:24:39,060 the need in Seattle? 501 00:24:39,060 --> 00:24:40,763 They would presumably know. 502 00:24:43,041 --> 00:24:44,330 - [Col. Williamson-Younce] Yes, sir. 503 00:24:44,330 --> 00:24:46,610 We have our leaders here on the ground. 504 00:24:46,610 --> 00:24:50,060 Our clinical professionals that are engaged 505 00:24:50,060 --> 00:24:53,150 with the Department of Health, FEMA, 506 00:24:53,150 --> 00:24:57,270 and then all of our partners in the Seattle AOR. 507 00:24:57,270 --> 00:24:59,840 So, they are having those discussions. 508 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:01,970 So, we will have a better understanding 509 00:25:01,970 --> 00:25:05,380 in a sight picture of what we're to receive here. 510 00:25:05,380 --> 00:25:07,580 - Again, what are you hearing about numbers? 511 00:25:09,743 --> 00:25:10,576 - [Col. Williamson-Younce] Sir, I don't 512 00:25:10,576 --> 00:25:13,440 have that information at this time. 513 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:15,540 - Okay. We'll go to Jen in the room. 514 00:25:15,540 --> 00:25:19,890 - [Jen] What would it take to convert your hospitals 515 00:25:19,890 --> 00:25:22,950 to a COVID- for COVID patients? 516 00:25:22,950 --> 00:25:24,737 If you're asked to do so, could you do so 517 00:25:24,737 --> 00:25:27,053 and what would it take to convert? 518 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:31,753 - [Lt. Col. Hughes] So, ma'am, right now 519 00:25:31,753 --> 00:25:32,770 that is not our mission. 520 00:25:32,770 --> 00:25:35,450 Obviously, if FEMA directed us to do that, 521 00:25:35,450 --> 00:25:38,580 we'd go into mission analysis and look at that 522 00:25:38,580 --> 00:25:40,490 but that's really a policy question 523 00:25:40,490 --> 00:25:42,435 for the Department of Defense. 524 00:25:42,435 --> 00:25:45,030 Again, our job is to follow their direction, 525 00:25:45,030 --> 00:25:48,190 FEMA's direction, so, until we get a change of mission, 526 00:25:48,190 --> 00:25:49,590 our focus right now is building 527 00:25:49,590 --> 00:25:53,183 those 250 beds to support the non-COVID patients. 528 00:25:54,970 --> 00:25:56,083 - Thanks. Laura? 529 00:26:01,820 --> 00:26:02,780 Nope. 530 00:26:02,780 --> 00:26:03,824 Okay. 531 00:26:03,824 --> 00:26:05,280 Team, please go ahead 532 00:26:05,280 --> 00:26:07,163 and start with your closing comments. 533 00:26:10,535 --> 00:26:13,120 - [Col. Younce] This is Hope Williamson-Younce again. 534 00:26:13,120 --> 00:26:14,600 I just wanted to thank you all 535 00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:16,920 for some, for those questions. 536 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:19,550 They were very insightful 537 00:26:19,550 --> 00:26:22,000 and so thank you again for your questions 538 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:24,800 and hopefully, we answered your questions 539 00:26:24,800 --> 00:26:27,300 to the fullest extent possible. 540 00:26:27,300 --> 00:26:30,550 So, in closing, just two touch points here, 541 00:26:30,550 --> 00:26:33,320 and that is I am absolutely confident 542 00:26:33,320 --> 00:26:34,890 that we will accomplish our mission 543 00:26:34,890 --> 00:26:38,930 to the fullest extent and our team is well led, 544 00:26:38,930 --> 00:26:41,740 well trained, and well equipped 545 00:26:41,740 --> 00:26:43,930 and in keeping with the Chief of the Staff of the Army's 546 00:26:43,930 --> 00:26:48,410 number one priority, people are at the center piece. 547 00:26:48,410 --> 00:26:51,080 both our patients and our troops, 548 00:26:51,080 --> 00:26:54,910 and we are glad to be here to support the American people. 549 00:26:54,910 --> 00:26:55,743 Thank you. 550 00:26:57,500 --> 00:26:58,333 - [Lt. Col. Hughes] Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, 551 00:26:58,333 --> 00:27:00,870 unit commander at 10th Field Hospital. 552 00:27:00,870 --> 00:27:03,957 Again, thank you for helping tell our soldier's stories. 553 00:27:03,957 --> 00:27:06,800 This is the reason they raise their right hand 554 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:09,800 and I raise my right hand and join the military, 555 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:11,343 it's for moments like this. 556 00:27:12,500 --> 00:27:16,610 Our role in life, our purpose is to save and sustain lives 557 00:27:16,610 --> 00:27:19,240 but also to serve the American people worldwide 558 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:22,850 and so, we are humbled and excited to be a part 559 00:27:22,850 --> 00:27:25,430 of this mission, this national fight 560 00:27:25,430 --> 00:27:28,360 against COVID-19 and then be a part of it. 561 00:27:28,360 --> 00:27:32,340 So, again, every one of these soldiers here is proud 562 00:27:32,340 --> 00:27:34,740 to be a part of the United States Army 563 00:27:34,740 --> 00:27:37,241 and to serve this country, as am I. 564 00:27:37,241 --> 00:27:39,750 For me to be able to come back to my home state 565 00:27:39,750 --> 00:27:43,000 and know that I can free up beds at a local facility 566 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:45,650 so one of my family members, who might come down 567 00:27:45,650 --> 00:27:48,350 with the disease, has the ability to go get healthcare. 568 00:27:48,350 --> 00:27:51,150 It's something that is a lifetime dream for me. 569 00:27:51,150 --> 00:27:53,566 So, I appreciate you telling our story 570 00:27:53,566 --> 00:27:55,710 and asking those tough questions 571 00:27:55,710 --> 00:27:58,470 and I look forward to speaking with you again in the future. 572 00:27:58,470 --> 00:27:59,969 - Thank you all for your time. 573 00:27:59,969 --> 00:28:00,837 - [Jennifer Griffin] Thank you. 574 00:28:00,837 --> 00:28:01,964 - [Tom Bowman] Thanks very much 575 00:28:01,964 --> 00:28:04,534 (papers rustling)