Edwards AFB COVID 19 Updates

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ICD017REV2 – Updated Mask Wear on Edwards AFB and AF Plant 42

References:

OSD (P&R) Updated Guidance for Mask and Screening Testing for all DoD Installations and Other Facilities, 1 Mar 2022
Force Health Protection Guidance (Supplement 18) Revision 1, 6 Jan 2022
ICD022REV3 – Screening Testing, 12 Jan 2022
Edwards AFB & AF Plant 42 Counter-COVID Directive, 3 Mar 2022

This Installation Command Directive (ICD) supersedes ICD017REV1. This ICD applies to all Edwards AFB and AF Plant 42 facilities that are owned, leased or controlled by the DoD, except for private residences. The guidance in this ICD is consistent with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels. This guidance does not alleviate personnel from the responsibility to make reasonable and safe decisions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the community.

The following measures are effective immediately:

(U) UPDATED MASK WEAR POLICY: IAW Ref (a) and CDC COVID-19 Community Level criteria, the locality of Edwards AFB and AF Plant 42 is no longer required to wear masks in indoor public settings. All Military, Civilian, Contractors, Mission Partners, and Visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are now authorized to discontinue mask wear in all settings except as identified below.

(U) EXCEPTIONS: Commanders, Directors, and Facility Owners, at their discretion, may impose more conservative measures after careful consideration of multiple public health factors (i.e. vaccination rates and personnel with COVID co-morbidities). The following situations/locations require mask wear until superseded by other guidance at the appropriate level:

IAW Ref (b), personnel with a recent COVID-19 infection or exposure will follow current guidance for mask wear during their infectious period.
According to current Defense Health Agency guidance, masks are required for all personnel entering 412 MDG facilities.
All personnel (students, staff, visitors, etc.) entering Muroc Joint Unified School District facilities will follow school district mask policies.
All personnel entering NASA facilities will follow NASA mask policies.
Personnel in Public Transportation (to include 412 LRS Ground Transportation) vehicles will continue mask wear.
All personnel in the following facilities will wear masks in accordance with Facility Owner policy: Edwards Single Point Screening Test Facility, Drug Demand Reduction, 412 CPTS Customer Service areas, 412 LRS Personnel Deployment Function area, and 412 CS COMSEC Office.

(U) COMPASSION AND CONSIDERATION: All persons retain the option to wear a mask even when it is not mandatory. Personnel who choose to continue to wear a mask WILL be treated with dignity and respect. Many Team T-Cot-A-TU members are at high risk for severe illness, or have high risk family members at home. Therefore, if you approach someone who chooses to wear a mask, please consider wearing your mask as a courtesy to them. All personnel will continue carrying a mask with them, even where mask wear is not mandatory.

(U) SCREENING TESTING: IAW Refs (a) and (c), screening testing at the Edwards and Plant 42 Single Point Screening Testing Facilities (SPSTF) will remain in effect as a condition of entry into DoD facilities for all not-fully vaccinated personnel.

(U) SIGNAGE: Facility managers shall post appropriate signage to clarify the mask requirement within their facility if different from the base policy.

Please direct any ICD017REV2 Questions to the 412 TW/CAT Admin Box 412tw.cat.admin@us.af.mil

ICDs currently in effect: 013, 017REV2, 019REV3, 020, 021REV2, 022REV3, 024REV1, and 027.

ICD028 – Downgrade to HPCON A

References:

Edwards AFB & AF Plant 42 Counter-COVID Comprehensive Directive, 3 Mar 2022
Guidance for Commanders’ Risk-Based Responses and Implementation of the HPCON Framework during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 29 April 2021
Updated Coronavirus Disease 2019 Guidance Related to Travel and Meetings, 24 September 2021
HPCON A poster

This Installation Command Directive (ICD) downgrades Edwards Air Force Base and Plant 42 to HPCON A effective 2100 Pacific Time on 8 March 2022. This ICD applies to all personnel on Edwards AFB and AF Plant 42. The Edwards AFB & AF Plant 42 Counter-COVID Comprehensive Directive (Ref (a)) is still in effect. ICD027 is rescinded effective 2100 Pacific Time on 8 March 2022.

Although the COVID-19 threat environment in the local area continues to regress, it is still too soon to declare victory. Installation-wide restrictions are being lifted, but every member of the T-Cot-A-TU family is still responsible for taking appropriate precautions, to include implementing relevant restrictions at lower levels of the chain of command. The next COVID-19 variant or seasonal surge could escalate quickly and with little notice.

At HPCON A, the following measures are effective:

(U) BASE ACCESS: There are no HPCON-related restrictions to base access at HPCON A.
(U) OCCUPANCY: IAW Ref (b), Facility owners will set occupancy limits, taking into account their population’s vulnerabilities and available mitigation procedures.
(U) SERVICES: Additional base services are available at HPCON A. Major changes from HPCON B are increased capacity at dining facilities and additional program availability. FSS available services and current operating hours are available at https://www.edwardsfss.com/FSSHPCON.
(U) U) TELEWORK: Commanders and Directors, delegable no lower than the squadron level Commander/Director, are encouraged to continue to incorporate unit specific management tools such as telework consistent with full mission accomplishment. It is recommended employees discuss their risks and specific health concerns with their supervisors. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) may be required to allow telework on a case-by-case basis.
(U) UNCHANGED POLICIES:

SPACING: IAW Ref (b), physical distancing of greater than 6 feet is still recommended. In cases where this is impractical, mitigations which provide an equivalent level of protection should be implemented.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: IAW Ref (c), Undersecretary of the Air Force approval is still required for official travel for unvaccinated members. Otherwise, O-6 or equivalent approval is only required if the destination is at HPCON C or above, or has local travel restrictions (https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Coronavirus-DOD-Response). These restrictions also apply to contractors on official travel. Contact the appropriate Contracting Officer/Contracting Officer Representative for procedures to process an exception.
SCREENING: IAW ICD022REV3, Screening testing and building access restrictions are still in effect.
LARGE EVENTS/MEETINGS: IAW Ref (c), Undersecretary of the Air Force approval is still required for meetings and events with more than 50 attendees.

(U) SIGNAGE: Facility owners shall post HPCON A signage (Ref (d)) as appropriate.

Please direct any ICD028 questions to the 412 TW/CAT Admin Box 412tw.cat.admin@us.af.mil

ICDs currently in effect: 013, 017REV2, 019REV3, 020, 021REV2, 022REV3, 024REV1, and 028.

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