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28 | MHCE - News www.mhce.us JUNE 2022 EDITION Special Olympics Drops Vaccine Rule After M Fine Threat TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Special Olympics has dropped a coronavirus vaccine mandate for its games in Orlando after Florida moved to fine the organization .5 million for violating a state law against such rules. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced the organization had removed the requirement for its competition in the state, which is scheduled to run June 5 to June 12. "In Florida, we want all of them to be able to compete. We do not think it's fair or just to be marginalizing some of these athletes based on a decision that has no bearing on their ability to compete with honor or integrity," DeSantis said at a news conference in Orlando. 5,500 violations of state law for requiring proof of coronavirus vaccination for attendees or participants. Florida law bars businesses from requiring documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination. DeSantis has strongly opposed vaccine mandates and other virus policies endorsed by the federal government. In a statement on its website, the Special Olympics said people who were registered but unable to participate because of the mandate can now attend. TO ADVERTISE contact Kyle.Stephens@mhce.us The Florida health department notified the Special Olympics of the fine in a letter Thursday that said the organization would be fined .5 million for
WWW.MHCE.US Monthly Newsletter | 29 Army Units in South Korea Receive Award for Initial Response to COVID-19 Pandemic CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — Eighth Army received the Army Superior Unit Award for its efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19 during the onset of the pandemic in South Korea, according to a press release Thursday. “Eighth Army and cited units displayed outstanding meritorious service through their response to the global pandemic cause by COVID-19, making their #1 priority to protect the force during these extraordinary circumstances,” the award’s citation said. The citation from the Army’s Human Resources Command added that Eighth Army’s efforts “enabled the effective response to the pandemic not only on the Korean Peninsula but more importantly informed response operations worldwide.” Soldiers present for duty while being attached to Eighth Army or one of several units in South Korea between Jan. 28, 2020, to April 30, 2020, are eligible to wear the superior unit award permanently. Army civilian employees who served within the same timeframe are also eligible for the award. South Korea became one of the first countries to report COVID-19 cases outside of China in January 2020. In Daegu, roughly 100 miles southeast of Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, the U.S. military reported its firstever COVID-19 case on Feb. 20, 2020. U.S. Forces Korea, the command responsible for roughly 28,500 troops on the peninsula, and its individual garrison commanders initiated lockdowns as case numbers increased in the military community. The Army’s response in South Korea, which included the construction of several quarantine facilities and the reassignment of thousands of service members, became the testing ground for the military’s worldwide pandemic response. Col. Michael Tremblay, the former garrison commander at Camp Humphreys, did not leave the base for 102 consecutive days. “Everybody’s singular focus from then on was, ‘How do we get this from getting inside,’” he said in June 2021. “We quickly ramped up the things that we were doing. For those three months, we did nothing but 24-hour operations, continuously coming up with new processes.” An Eighth Army spokesman said the command was “extremely proud of our soldiers, both past and present.” “Their professionalism allowed us to continue our mission of supporting our regional allies and deterring potential adversaries while simultaneously managing the effects of the global pandemic,” Lt. Col. Neil Penttila said in an email to Stars and Stripes on Friday. USFK counted 104 new infections in the week ending Monday, down from the 141 cases reported between May 10- 16, according to a USFK update on Tuesday. The command reported 98 infections May 3-9, down from the weekly record of 1,599 cases Jan. 4-10. VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT MHCE.US
