Michigan’s National Guard will continue to play an important role in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic into next year.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the Trump administration has extended authorization for Guard members to receive federal pay and benefits through the end of March. The authorization was scheduled to expire December 31.
“The Michigan National Guard continues to be a crucial part of our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Whitmer. “I want to thank our men and women in uniform for their dedication and round-the-clock work to protect the people of our state by expanding testing in our communities and ensuring they have what they need to get through this crisis.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Michigan, National Guard members have assisted with the distribution of more than 14 million pounds of food at food banks, delivered coronavirus tests and protective equipment across the state and assisted with testing more than 200,000 thousand Michiganders for COVID-19.
The National Guard may play a role in distributing coronavirus vaccines as they become available.
As of Thursday, 380,343 Michiganders have tested positive for COVID-19, with 9,580 dying of the coronavirus.
