2 weeks ago, Sec Esper said that they would not use Mercy and Comfort for Coronavirus cases.

The military’s justification is sound, these ships were designed for battlefield trauma not viral isolation. Military temp hospitals are to relieve pressure off facilities doing corona. https://twitter.com/natashabertrand/status/1245872951032979457">https://twitter.com/natashabe...

So it’s a little strange to hear this described as “wild” when Esper himself already said this in a press conference with the entire Pentagon Press Corps in attendance and gave a perfectly reasonable rational for the decision.

Both Mercy and Comfort have already deployed.

Secretive Esper caveated during his March 17 press conference that the vessels have limitations and could be used for certain, but not all, medical emergencies. https://twitter.com/pete2303/status/1245928005102260227?s=21for">https://twitter.com/pete2303/... https://twitter.com/pete2303/status/1245928005102260227">https://twitter.com/pete2303/...

Do you know how irrelevant you sound right now?

Meeting adjourned. https://twitter.com/pete2303/status/1245929784590258179?s=21">https://twitter.com/pete2303/... https://twitter.com/pete2303/status/1245929784590258179">https://twitter.com/pete2303/...