BREMERTON — In this unparalleled time, schools have shut down, restaurants and bars have been ordered to close their public areas, and Gov. Jay Inslee has banned gatherings of more than 50 people, all in an effort to slow a spreading virus.
Some work, however, must go on.
Navy installations, including the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, continue to operate. Their work is viewed as too critical to shut down.
“Our mission here is of the utmost importance,” said shipyard commander Capt. Dianna Wolfson, in a video statement. “We work on the most important capabilities our Navy has to defend our country.”
More: Coronavirus update: Kitsap County restaurants, bars make preparations to temporarily close
Wolfson announced Monday that the shipyard’s workforce had reported four negative tests for COVID-19, as well as 14 pending tests, but none confirmed as yet.
Even as Mayor Greg Wheeler led Bremerton to close the last public city front countertop — at the police station, 10 a.m. Monday — he acknowledged the Navy couldn’t shutter in the face of the unprecedented crisis.
“They have to support the national mission,” said Wheeler, himself a Navy veteran who worked at the shipyard for almost three decades. “That has to keep going.”
More: Two more Kitsap County residents test positive for COVID-19
The Navy, through the Department of Defense, has continued to enact other measures to try to curtail exposure. Over the weekend, the Department of Defense announced all non-essential official travel has been canceled through May 11. But that also keeps going the “essential” travel in support of ship maintenance.
Wolfson also announced Monday that the shipyard is working on an unprecedented “telework” scheme that has never been tried at a shipyard before. Leaders there are also looking at the prospect of alternative work schedules as a way to keep work going but provide more distance between employees.
More: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard surges with a wave of new hires
Public health experts worldwide have pushed the concept of “flattening the curve” — reducing the new infections by social isolation. That buys the health care system precious time, they say, to deal with current cases while treatments are being developed.
“We need to remember that with decisive, early action, we can slow down the virus and prevent infections,” World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom said recently.
The shipyard has closed in the past due to snowstorms, though it is rare. Naval Base Kitsap, too, has adopted “mission-critical” staffing. For now, Wolfson said shipyard leadership is weighing options and developing contingency plans. “High traffic” areas are being cleaned regularly, she said, and all public events have been canceled.
“We’re also evaluating large gatherings and meetings inside our shipyard and when possible either canceling, postponing, or finding an alternate means,” she said.
She also asked that anyone with a family member or who has been tested for novel coronavirus to inform their supervisors.
“Most importantly right now, we all need to take care of ourselves,” said Wolfson, who encouraged workers to take leave or advanced leave if they feel at risk to develop coronavirus.
“We know we are navigating in uncharted waters,” she said.
Both Wheeler and Central Kitsap Commissioner Ed Wolfe noted that those staying home should take advantage of the sunny weather this week by taking a walk, while remembering to maintain good distances.
“Be calm, collected, and we’ll get through this together,” Wolfe said.
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March 17, 2020 at 01:38AM
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While others shut down, shipyard, Navy work continues, even as coronavirus spreads - Kitsap Sun
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