Edwards AFB COVID 19 Updates

Edwards Air Force Base Moves To HPCON C

The Child Development Center (CDC) will be closed the week of 10 January as directed by the Installation Commander due to COVID-19. Parents and staff members will be contacted about the closure via phone. The CDC will reopen on 18 January after Martin Luther King Jr Day.

School Age, Youth and Teen centers remain open for healthy youth. Youth sports are paused and will re-start 18 January.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. The safety of our children and staff is very important to us at FSS. Please address any questions to Mr. Anthony Coward at anthony.coward.1@us.af.mil

Effective 12 Jan 2022, Edwards AFB will upgrade its Health Protection Conditions as follows:

(U) ICD 023 – Upgrade to HPCON C

ICD025 – Upgrade to HPCON C

References:

(a) Edwards AFB & AF Plant 42 Counter-COVID Comprehensive Directive, 19 May 2021

(b) Guidance for Commanders’ Risk-Based Responses and Implementation of the HPCON Framework during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 29 April 2021

(d) 412 FSS COVID-19 Operations CHARLIE, 12 January 2022

(e) Updated Coronavirus Disease 2019 Guidance Related to Travel and Meetings, 24 September 2021

(f) HPCON C Poster

(g) Update to Conditions-based Approach to Coronavirus Disease 2019 Personnel Movement and Travel Restrictions, 15 March 2021

(h) Travel Restriction Delegations of Authority, 26 October 2020

This Installation Command Directive (ICD) upgrades Edwards Air Force Base and Plant 42 to HPCON C effective 2100 Pacific Time on 12 January 2022. ICDs 18 and 23 (upgrades to B and B+) are rescinded effective 2100 Pacific Time on 12 January 2022. This ICD applies to all personnel on Edwards AFB and AF Plant 42. The Edwards AFB & AF Plant 42 Counter-COVID Comprehensive Directive is still in effect.

As the base transitions to HPCON C, the following measures are implemented:

(U) PREPARE FOR HPCON D! The mitigations imposed by HPCON C are intended to prevent further escalation of the local health protection condition. However, organizations should be prepared for the massive impacts to their personnel and mission that would be caused by a potential future escalation to HPCON D. Units should evaluate their plans for HPCON D, to include developing lists of Mission Critical personnel as defined in Ref (a) Paragraph 7. Units will submit their by-name list of Mission Critical personnel via UCC/GCC channels to 412 TW/CAT by COB 26 January 2022.

(U) BASE ACCESS: In accordance with Ref (a), Paragraph 7, Base Access does not change between HPCON B/B+/C. All base access restrictions from HPCONs B and B+ remain in effect.

3. (U) OCCUPANCY: In accordance with Ref (b), organizations should limit occupancy for personnel in their work centers. 25% occupancy for each room should be used as a baseline, but Commanders/Directors have final authority to modify up or down to account for specific organizational factors (such as vaccination rate, proximity of work stations, protective measures, mission requirements, SMARTS principles (Ref (c)), etc.) with input from Public Health.

4. (U) SERVICES: Indoor dining is one of the few venues where crowds gather on base without masks, providing a ready avenue for COVID transmission. All customer service organizations providing food distribution options (i.e. AAFES, DecA, FSS, etc.) will close indoor dining and may remain open for carryout only. Meal Card Holders (only) may eat their meal in the DFAC with one person per table and appropriate spacing between tables. All other DFAC patrons will grab/go only. Customer Service organizations will consult with Public Health to develop appropriate mitigation procedures, and will inform 412 TW/CAT of their plans. FSS modifications to services are available in Ref (d), and are subject to change based on current conditions. Current operating hours and restrictions will be available at https://www.edwardsfss.com/FSSHPCON and on the Edwards AFB App.

5. (U) MANNING: Commanders will take appropriate measures within their authority to balance mission execution with safety of personnel. Organizations will increase utilization of telework consistent with maintaining mission capability and preventing mission shutdown over an enduring period of time (4 to 6 weeks). When personnel can telework without causing mission failure, they should. Constraints to mission capability caused by different risk postures adopted at different organizations should be elevated to the appropriate level of leadership for resolution.

6. (U) MISSION CRITICAL TESTING: Personnel identified as Mission Critical in paragraph 1 above (i.e. first responders, emergency services, public safety personnel) may receive expedited processing at the 412 MDG Testing Facility in order to receive same day test results and preserve critical capabilities. This is intended to facilitate early return to work from isolation/quarantine and will be used judiciously. Commanders/Directors will conduct a case-by-case analysis to determine whether returning that individual to work earlier is truly critical to the safe and orderly operation of the base. If so, Group Commanders/Directors will provide written approval that the member can present to the 412 MDG Testing Facility for expedited testing.

7. (U) VIGILANCE: All personnel will remain agile and vigilant to minimize potential close contacts (within 6 feet for 15 minutes) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the community. In addition to SMARTS principle (Ref (c)), decreasing the number of close contacts reduces the number of personnel in quarantine status, significantly preserves installations-wide mission capacity, and reduces demand signal on our under-resourced Public Health/COVID testing/primary care medical warriors. Members should be aware of who is routinely in their “bubble” of close contacts due to mission essential activities and daily necessities. Members should preemptively track close contacts and be prepared to provide a list of close contacts to Public Health in the event of COVID-19 infection.

(U) GATHERINGS: Social gatherings have been the transmission point for a large portion of COVID-19 cases observed by the 412 MDG. All members, military and civilian, should avoid non-essential events which cause their close contacts bubble to grow when the local Community Transmission is Substantial or High (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view). 412 TW organizations will not sponsor/encourage/support non-mission-essential events (as determined by Unit Commander/Director) which would generate additional close contacts, whether on base or off. SMARTS principles should be incorporated into all events. Commanders will ensure the DoD prohibition on events of over 50 people (Ref (e)) is enforced unless a waiver has been approved at the SECAF level.

(U) SIGNAGE: Facility owners shall post HPCON Charlie signage (Ref (f)) as appropriate.

(U) TRAVEL: Leave and Pass policies and procedures for Active Duty and Civilians are not altered at HPCON C. TDYs are limited to Mission Essential travel and other exceptions listed in Ref (g). Authority for determining whether travel is Mission Essential is the first O-6 or civilian equivalent in the chain of command or supervision, and cannot be further delegated, IAW Ref (h). Additional restrictions for not-fully-vaccinated personnel are contained in Ref (e). Personnel should expect severe restrictions on leave, passes, and TDYs if the base enters HPCON D.

Please direct any ICD025 questions to the 412 TW/CAT Admin Box 412tw.cat.admin@us.af.mil

ICDs currently in effect: 001, 004, 005, 009, 013, 017REV1, 019REV3, 020, 021REV2, 022REV3, 024REV1, and 025.

Click here for: Updated Mask Guidance for all DoD Installations and Other Facilities

Where do I find more information about COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has great resources regarding COVID-19. Please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Defense Health Agency also has additional information which can be found at https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Combat-Support/Public-Health/Coronavirus

For current COVID-19 trends in the US, State, and County, please visit CDC Data Tracker: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

Please talk to your medical provider if you have any specific questions.
Where do I find more information about the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated information about the COVID-19 vaccine. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

For more specific information, please talk to your medical provider. For general questions, you can call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).

To get a COVID-19 Vaccine, visit your local pharmacy or text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX) for a list of locations.

Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) vaccine is available by appointment at the 412^th MDG. Please make an appointment at https://informatics-stage.health.mil/COVAX.
Where do I find guidance on COVID-19 restrictions/requirements?
The US Dept of Defense has a “Spotlight for the DoD Response to COVID-19” with the latest guidelines. Link: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Coronavirus-DOD-Response/

There may be additional guidance based on Agency, Service, MAJCOM, base and state/local government policy. Please talk to your supervisor for specific information. Guidance may change in response to the public health emergency.
Why are COVID-19 Vaccines required?
The President created the Safer Federal Workforce task force to keep federal agency employees safe and the ability to continue operations during this pandemic.As part of ensuring a safe work environment and for operational readiness, COVID-19 vaccination is a prevention priority for this biological threat to our mission. For further information, visit https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/

Implementation of the Executive Orders and timelines may differ per federal organization. Please talk to your supervisor for specific information and guidance as it becomes available.
Who can’t get a COVID-19 vaccine?
The only contraindication to getting a COVID-19 vaccine is if you have had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or the components of the vaccine.

Anyone with a high risk medical condition, especially pregnant women, are highly encouraged to get vaccinated due to potential for severe symptoms and complications from a COVID-19 infection.

For more information and specific concerns, talk to your medical provider.

Further clinical guidance can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html
If I had COVID-19, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine provides broad longer-lasting immunity, whereas an infection may not provide you the same immunity in the future.

For other FAQs, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
What are the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Just like all other vaccines that have been developed since 1798, the COVID-19 vaccine teaches your immune system how to create proteins (called antibodies) that will recognize and fight the disease, in this case the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The COVID-19 vaccine significantly protects you from severe illness and death from COVID-19, but also decreases your risk of getting infected and transmitting disease. The research has consistently proven that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective and safe. Recent studies have shown that fully vaccinated people had 5x reduced risk of infection, > 10x reduced risk of hospitalization and > 10x reduced risk of death compared to unvaccinated people. The more a population is vaccinated, the less chance the virus has to spread, replicate, mutate and cause continued pandemic harm, which will benefit all of us.

The reality of the situation: Of the over 100,000 people who have died from COVID-19 in the US since June 2021, at least 90,000 could have lived if they had been vaccinated. COVID-19 is now a vaccine preventable disease and more importantly, a vaccine preventable death.

For more information, please visit the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html

For up to date science information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/covid19_vaccine_safety.html
I’m pregnant, can I get the vaccine?
Yes! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), and Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) strongly recommend vaccination of pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant or just had a baby.

Risks for complications from a COVID-19 infection are increased in unvaccinated pregnant women. Symptomatic pregnant women have more than twice the risk of requiring hospitalization (to include Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, invasive ventilation, and Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)) and 70% increased risk of death. A COVID-19 infection in pregnancy also leads to pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, coagulopathy, preterm delivery (leading to NICU stay for the baby) and stillbirth.

The CDC is tracking side effects/adverse events in vaccinated pregnant women, and there have been no safety concerns with vaccine for mom or baby. In a study of over 35,000 pregnant women who were vaccinated, no safety issues or miscarriages were identified.

In fact, just like with Influenza and TdaP vaccination, your own maternal antibodies will pass to your baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding – further protecting baby from COVID-19 after birth.

Please talk to your medical provider for any concerns and understanding the risks to you and your baby if you choose not to be vaccinated.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html