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Whitmer activates National Guard to assemble protective gear

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The Michigan National Guard is helping to deliver equipment to health professionals battling to contain the coronavirus in Michigan.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the Michigan National Guard on Wednesday to assemble protective gear such as gloves, gowns and face shields.  A small group of about 10 soldiers packaged and delivered supplies to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services facilities.  Lieutenant Andrew Layton is the deputy state public affairs officer for the Michigan National Guard. 

“The call came up for assistance, our soldiers were able to respond…and we anticipate that going forward, our involvement will be very similar.  It will be as needed as a supporting agency to what other agencies like MDHHS are doing around the state.”

Layton says the Guard is still able to perform its core mission, including deploying troops overseas.   

Kevin Lavery has been news director at WKAR since September 2006.