Medics Keep RNC Support Teams Safe From COVID-19

 Aug. 31, 2020 | BY Army Staff Sgt. Mary Junell

Joint Task Force — Republican National Convention came together in Charlotte, North Carolina, Aug. 21-24, 2020, during the global pandemic to ensure the safety of citizens, delegates and critical infrastructure during the RNC event.

However, with the spread of COVID-19 a concern, the task force medical staff's priority was to develop and implement a plan to keep joint forces — consisting of North Carolina National Guardsman, active duty soldiers, Marines, airmen, and Defense Department civilians, safe.

Army Staff Sgt. Stacy Tindle, the medical noncommissioned officer in charge for the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, had a primary responsibility to ensure the medical welfare of all the joint forces within the joint operations area — preventing the spread of COVID-19. Every person who entered the North Carolina National Guard Armory in Charlotte was required to wear a mask and advised to maintain 6 feet of separation whenever possible. They were also greeted with a list of questions — asking about possible contact with COVID-19-positive patients, signs or symptoms that could be associated with COVID-19 and if they had experienced an elevated temperature within the last 24 hours.

"We check the temperatures of every person coming inside the building," Tindle said. "We also provide medical support throughout the day whenever there's a need."

JTF-RNC participants were given a sticker with the color of the day to wear — indicating they went through a preliminary medical screening. If a person had a temperature or answered yes to any of the questions, they were not allowed to enter the building and required further medical attention.

The medical team, including Army Capt. Joseph Mintz, a physician's assistant with the 130th MEB, prepared for months to make sure they were ready to keep JTF-RNC safe during the event.

"We had a few drills where we had personnel here when we were doing these screenings and mask-wearing procedures," Mintz said. "We collaborated with other sections to make sure we had enough cleaning supplies and surfaces were being sanitized. We had [time] to get that system set up so it was already in place by the time we got here."

Even though the convention was downsized due to the pandemic, the event still brought support teams from across the country, a concern for the medical team. Teams of medical personnel, physicians, nurses and medics went around the state to ensure everyone involved was complying with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

"A huge number of [people] have come from all over the state, as well as Washington, to support the Republican National Convention," Tindle said. "This has been a huge undertaking. We've all been really excited about it, and it's just been a great honor, but the number of personnel is key because we want to make sure [everyone is] safe at all times."

The RNC was a large event bringing together military service members and Defense Department civilians from across the country, and the JTF-RNC medical team had the same priority they always do — health and safety.

"Our overall mission didn't really change much for the RNC," Mintz said. "Our primary mission is always safety and health; that's always our top priority no matter what's going on."

(Army Staff Sgt. Mary Junell is assigned to the 382nd Public Affairs Detachment)