Defense Secretary Mark Esper told "Special Report with Bret Baier" Tuesday that the U.S. military, including the National Guard, is actively seeking ways to help dampen the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. "I want to assure all of your viewers that the United States military remains ready and capable of defending the American people, protecting the nation and safeguarding our interests abroad," Esper told host Bret Baier at the start of the interview. "In that context, our second focus has been on supporting the president and the whole-of-government approach to the coronavirus." Respondng to other questions about federal and military involvement, Esper said the National Guard has been activated in 18 states and the floating hospitals are at the ready. "They are working pretty aggressively to come up with a vaccine for the coronavirus," he said.

Source: Fox News March 17, 2020 23:03 UTC