National Guardsmen Adjusting to Long-Term Care Facility Deployments

Hundreds of Indiana National Guardsmen are currently deployed in the state’s long-term care facilities, as part of the fight against COVID-19. Staff Sgt. Maira Beltran is one of them. She had the chance to discuss her experience at the Morrison Woods Health Campus in Muncie during Governor Holcomb’s COVID-19 press conference Wednesday.

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Hot Buildings, Longer Processing Times Hinder COVID-19 Testing Efforts

A lack of air conditioning is creating challenges for Indiana’s COVID-19 testing. The state-sponsored sites run by OptumServe were initially set up in National Guard armories. The problem now, according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box, is that few if any of those buildings are air conditioned, and there are OSHA guidelines that have to be followed to keep the workers safe.

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Indiana National Guard, State Police Ready to Respond to Potential Violence

Governor Holcomb addresses the weekend’s violence during a press conference Monday.

State officials are outlining their response to this weekend’s violence. In a press conference Monday, Governor Holcomb said protests started out as an “understandable and needed” response to the death of George Floyd, but took on a tone of organized crime.

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Lead Contamination Concerns Affect Armories

Indiana National GuardThe Indiana National Guard armory in Plymouth is once again available for use by military families and for rentals. Both were suspended recently after lead dust contamination was found inside the facility. Indiana National Guard officials say it’s residue from old indoor firing ranges and other uses of the buildings. They are in the process of testing and remediating facilities across the state. Continue reading