By Michelle Rindels and Jackie Valley/The Nevada Independent
CARSON CITY — As coronavirus cases continue their steep climb, Gov. Steve Sisolak said Wednesday that he’s activating the Nevada National Guard and expanding the state’s health care workforce by allowing certain groups, such as retired doctors or medical students, to help treat COVID-19 patients.
The announcements came the same day Sisolak issued an emergency directive extending by two weeks the school and nonessential business closures through April 30, and another directing residents to shelter in place — something that the governor said “merely reinforces” previous guidance to stay at home. During a news conference Wednesday evening, the governor explained why the directive doesn’t carry any penalties for people not staying at home.
“The idea of this entire issue is not to fine people and to give them misdemeanors and give them (a) record,” he said. “I’m begging and encouraging and you’ve seen it before — I’ve had to ask and I’ve had to direct.”
Sisolak said police departments are busy enforcing other directives, such as disbanding groups of 10 or more people and ensuring nonessential businesses comply with the closure order.
“I don’t feel the time is appropriate to actually put a fine or a penalty in place for violators,” he said.
The activation of the Nevada National Guard follows actions taken in other states. Sisolak said the decision solidifies the state’s emergency operations structure in a bid to make it more “organized, responsive and efficient than ever before.”
Adjutant General Ondra Berry called it the “exact right time” for the governor to activate the Nevada National Guard, noting that units in other states have been helping with logistics, communication and transportation. He said guard members who are first responders, health care workers or other critical employees won’t be taken away from their civilian jobs.
Sisolak said he considers the guard members experts on logistics and managing crises, making them a natural fit to protect the state’s residents.
“The Nevada National Guard is made up of the very people we are trying to protect,” he said. “They are our sons, daughters and parents. They are doctors and teachers. They stock stores and warehouse shelves, and they manufacture products. They are neighbors helping neighbors. That’s why I trust them. And that’s why I know Nevadans will trust them, too.”
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