Navy identifies Roosevelt sailor who died from coronavirus outbreak

The Navy has identified the 41-year-old sailor who died during a coronavirus outbreak that has sickened hundreds on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt. The sailor who died was identified Thursday as Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker, Jr. He died Monday from COVID-19 complications at a naval hospital in Guam, where the aircraft carrier docked after the outbreak began. Thacker was taken to the intensive care unit after being found unresponsive. He was an aviation ordinanceman from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Thacker’s spouse, also an active-duty service member, was flown to Guam from San Diego and was by Thacker’s side when he died, according to the Navy.

Capt. Carlos Sardiello, the Roosevelt's commanding officer, said in a statement that the ship’s thoughts and prayers are with Thacker’s family following his death. “Our number one priority continues to be the health and well-being of all members of the Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group and we remain steadfast in our resolve against the spread of this virus,” he said. The U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt made headlines after an outbreak of novel coronavirus quickly tore through the ship, leading then-Capt. Brett Crozier to send an unclassified letter expressing concern for the sailors to numerous people in a move officials said was meant to result in media coverage.

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly later resigned after a speech he gave to Crozier’s former sailors was leaked. In the speech aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, Modly quipped that Crozier was either “too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer” of the aircraft carrier. Since then, there has been an investigation into the incident, and Adm. Michael Gilday, the chief of naval operations, said he remains open to the possibility of reinstating Crozier, who is seen as a sort of hero to many on his former ship. Since the controversy, more than 600 onboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for the virus, including Crozier himself.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/navy-identifies-roosevelt-sailor-who-died-from-coronavirus-outbreak

Subject: President Donald J. Trump Convenes Members of Congress to Serve on the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2020

President Donald J. Trump Convenes Members of Congress to Serve on the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group

Today, President Donald J. Trump and members of his Administration hosted phone calls with Republican and Democrat Members of the House of Representatives and Senate serving on the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group. The President announced that he will soon provide guidance to America’s Governors to determine their ability to reignite the economies in their respective States. The dialogue between the President, senior Administration officials, and the bipartisan group of Members of Congress also included a range of topics, namely the need for additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, the international and domestic supply chains, ways to energize the economy, surprise medical billing, clarifying the difference between essential and non-essential workers, mental health, and relief for small businesses.

Additionally, the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group discussed the rapidly expanding access to COVID-19 diagnostic and anti-body tests, ventilators, face masks, and other PPE. President Trump was pleased to hear such positive feedback from the Members about the work that the Administration is doing to keep America healthy and prosperous, and thanked them for their participation.

The following Members of Congress will serve on the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group.

https://publicpool.kinja.com/subject-president-donald-j-trump-convenes-members-of-1842906852

Note: Mitt Romney is NOT on this list