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The Department of
Homeland Security remains vigilant against the COVID-19 virus and continues
to lead the national response to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on American
citizens and workers. As the nation transitions to a phased approach of
reopening the economy the Department and its components remain steadfast in
their commitment to ensure a safe, secure, and prosperous Homeland for the
American people.
“S&T has dedicated it’s
research acumen to addressing the needs of the pandemic response efforts with
actionable science-based, information,” said William N. Bryan, DHS Senior
Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science &
Technology. “We began research at the very beginning of the outbreak to
determine what was known about the virus, and determined what else we needed
to know in order to control the spread. Our efforts have discovered how
temperature, humidity, and especially sunlight, can help to limit the spread
of the virus from surfaces and in the air. We’ve determined effective
decontamination methods for cleaning surfaces with simple household
chemicals, and just this week, released information about how to use a
multicooker to decontaminate critical PPE, such as N95 masks, for reuse. I am
proud of S&T’s team and our abilities to contribute to the global
response efforts to control the spread of this deadly disease.”
Below is a list of some of
DHS’s efforts against COVID-19 last week:
Science and Technology
(S&T)
Delivering
Actionable Information Through Applied Research. Personal protective
equipment, specifically respiratory protection such as N95 masks, are an
effective way to reduce exposure to airborne SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that
causes COVID-19. With high demand resulting in limited supply, S&T
focused efforts on finding affordable and easy methods that allow masks to
safely be reused. On June 19th, S&T published
information about using a multi-cooker as an effective low-technology
decontamination option for N95 respirators. A fact sheet, question-and-answer
document, concept of operations, and an instructional
video were posted on S&T’s website for easy access to the
information.
Driving Evidence-Based
Policymaking. On June 16th, Science and Technology updated its Master
Question List (MQL), a compilation of available research on operationally
relevant questions to aid decision makers in the COVID-19 response. The MQL
is a quick-reference guide covering what is known about the virus, what
additional information is needed, and who may be working to address these
fundamental questions. New entries include references to work showing faster
rates of transmission associated with a particular mutation (D614G) which is
disproportionately represented in phylogenetic samples. Dexamethasone may significantly
reduce mortality in severely ill and ventilated patients, and surveys
indicate that the majority of Americans were complying with
non-pharmaceutical interventions.
Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Providing COVID-19 Resources
for SLTT Governments. On June 17th, CISA released
the COVID-19 Disinformation Toolkit designed to
help State, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) officials bring awareness to
misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories appearing online
related to COVID-19’s origin, scale, government response, prevention and
treatment. This toolkit provides resources like talking points, FAQs,
outreach graphics, and posters to help spread awareness.
Countering Weapons of Mass
Destruction (CWMD)
Enhanced Screenings at
Airports. CWMD contract personnel are continuing to support the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with enhanced screenings for
travelers through 15 specially designated airports. As of June 20, CWMD has
processed more than 362,827 travelers for enhanced screening, including 1,538
who were referred to CDC for further medical evaluation.
Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
Delivering Critical Medical
Supplies to Keep Americans Safe. As of June 19th,
FEMA, HHS, and the private sector combined have coordinated the delivery of,
95.8 million N-95 respirators, 151.2 million surgical masks, 15.5 million
face shields, 74.9 million surgical gowns/coveralls and over 1 billion
gloves.
Expediting Movement of
Critical Personal Protective Equipment. FEMA continues to
expedite the movement of commercially pre-sourced and commercially procured
critical supplies from the global market to medical distributors in various
locations across the U.S. As of June 22, Project Airbridge has completed 232
flights with an additional 7 scheduled, or in transit, for a total of
approximately 239 flights. Since April 12, 53 non-Airbridge flights carrying
over 69.8 million FEMA-procured masks and respirators from 3M have landed in
the U.S. Additionally, 93 non-Airbridge flights carrying over 15.7 million
gowns from Hanes have landed in the U.S. for distribution across the country.
Supporting Administration’s
COVID-19 Testing Strategy. To support the Administration’s
Testing Blueprint, FEMA continues to source and procure testing material –
specifically, testing swabs and transport media. As of June 17th,
FEMA has procured and delivered 25.9 million swabs and 16.4 million units of
media. The FEMA-sourced material will be provided to states, territories, and
tribes for a limited duration to help increase testing capacity in support of
their individualized plans.
Federal Law Enforcement
Training Centers (FLETC)
FLETC Restarts On-site
Training. FLETC is making sure that participating organizations have the
ability to train officers and agents in a safe and secure environment. The
law enforcement profession is one that requires in-person training to
effectively simulate real-world situations for the proper use and application
of law enforcement tactics, techniques and procedures. On June 17th, FLETC
resumed on-site training at FLETC’s training delivery points, students and
staff are back using reengineered training programs and safety protocols.
Transportation Security
Administration (TSA)
Keeping Americans Safe While
Ensuring Continuity of U.S. Travel and Commerce. Between
June 14th and June 20th, TSA screened more than
3,609,878 passengers, who have all reached their destinations safely.
TSA officers are required to wear facial protection while on duty at the
checkpoint and the agency continues to follow CDC guidance to protect
Americans, its workers, and the nation’s transportation system, in support of
air travel and all other modes of transportation.
Ready to Ensure Safety
During the Summer Travel Period. Between June 14th
and June 20th, TSA teams across the country were provided guidance
on ordering plastic barriers to help prevent cross-contamination between
passengers and TSA personnel. In an effort to help prevent the spread
of COVID-19 as we head into the summer travel season, travelers should expect
to see changes at airport screening checkpoints
nationwide.
United States Coast Guard
(USCG)
Monitoring Vessels
that Pose a Risk to Public Health. As of June 19th, 2020, the
USCG is tracking 68 cruise ships moored, at anchor, or underway in vicinity
of a U.S. port, or with potential to arrive in a US port, with 21,742
crewmembers. This includes an estimated 269 American Citizens crewmembers
dispersed among 38 vessels. The Coast Guard is working with the CDC
based on its extension of the No Sail Order for cruise ships, which permits
the off-loading of crewmembers following submission of a plan to the
CDC.
U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE)
Keeping the Public Safe from
COVID-19-related Fraud. ICE’s Operation Stolen Promise (OSP)
targets fraudulent activity stemming from the pandemic. The initiative
combines ICE’s Homeland Security Investigation’s (HSI) expertise in global
trade investigations, financial fraud, and cyber investigations with robust
private and public partnerships to disrupt and dismantle this criminal
activity and strengthen global supply-chain security. As of June 19th,
as part of OSP, the agency has made 28 criminal arrests, analyzed 43,153
COVID-19-related domains, seized more than $ 5,233,128 million in illicit
proceeds, disrupted 39 instances of illicit activity, sent 1,092 leads to
domestic and international field offices, executed 50 search warrants and
made 759 COVID-19-related seizures to include prohibited test kits and
pharmaceuticals, counterfeit masks and more.COVID-19-related seizures to
include prohibited test kits and pharmaceuticals, counterfeit masks and more.
Customs and Border
Protection (CBP)
Getting American Citizens
Home Safe. As of June 17th, 2020, CBP had referred 354,469
travelers at the 15 funneling airports to DHS CWMD for enhanced health
screening.
Securing the Border.
While commercial activities and essential travel remain unrestricted, CBP
continues to collaborate with its partners in Canada and Mexico to limit
non-essential travel aimed at preventing COVID-19 from crossing our shared
borders. On June
16th, DHS announced the Extension of Non-Essential Travel Restrictions
with Canada and Mexico until July 21st. This extension protects Americans
while keeping essential trade and travel flowing as we reopen the American
economy.
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