The lieutenant general of the Army Corps of Engineers is noting the biggest aspect they are focusing on amid the coronavirus crisis.
Lt. General Todd Semonite appeared on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday where he was asked how he intends to stay ahead of the curve amid the coronavirus outbreak. He explained the importance of “modeling.”
“The biggest thing probably is modeling and we’re taking a lot of guidance from Vice President Pence’s task force,” he said.
Semonite shared details about his team and how they are working to prepare for the coming weeks.
“We’re looking at some amazing analytics to be able to figure out where do we see the growth of the threat being more than anywhere else? And where do we see the bed shortage?” he continued.
Check out Semonite’s interview below:
Lt. General Todd Semonite of the Army Corps of Engineers talks to @GStephanopoulos about the number of sites they will build out across the country and explains what it takes to turn a site into a medical facility. https://t.co/tuzjwvN268 pic.twitter.com/7hpoFXQUMq
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 31, 2020
As Semonite explained, the engineers’ focus will be on getting ahead of the curve by evaluating analytics and models to determine which cities and states may be faced with shortages.
“So I’ve got a bunch of engineers in a back room who are looking at where do we see us having big shortages — two or three weeks,” he added.
Semonite also discussed the protocol his staff will be incorporating to consult with governors and mayors in preparation for the coming weeks.
“I’ve got 43 different commanders and an unbelievable amount of technicians — as my civilians — who are talking to governors, mayors saying, ‘We anticipate you’re going to have a shortage. What is your solution? And here are some potential options,'” he said.
The lieutenant general added, “So it’s the ability to array a standard solution that is vetted at the national level but then decentralized. And what we’ve got to do here, George, is we’ve got to come up with a minimum essential.”
Semonite also noted that they are not focused on perfection but rather a timely response to the outbreak.
“We don’t have time for the perfect solution,” he said, adding, “We’ve got to be able to cut to the chase and get this ahead of need.”