By Noah Jeffries, WV News
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the West Virginia National Guard learned several lessons as they helped the state during a trying, fearful time.
“Once the pandemic began to take hold in the state, the mission set of the WVNG evolved and grew as the West Virginia National Guard became a critical element in the governor’s efforts to protect and safeguard West Virginians,” Public Affairs Officer Bo Wriston said.
It didn’t take long for the National Guard to start making a difference in the earliest days of the pandemic.
“Within the first 45 days of activation, the WVNG had completed more than 670 missions through six lines of effort: Operationalizing of the event, stabilizing the population, providing logistical movement of critical supplies, innovation, stage surge capability and conducting data analysis to combat the virus,” Wriston said.
According to Wriston, personnel began executing testing efforts in nursing homes and eldercare facilities around the state.
