Navy Recommends the Reinstating of Roosevelt Captain Fired Over Coronavirus
Captain Brett Crozier was fired from his post as the captain of the USS Roosevelt after he sent a pleading for help ship saw a coronavirus outbreak. Now, Navy officials have largely cleared his actions and recommended his reinstatement to command the nuclear-powered carrier. The recommendation to put Crozier back in charge is a serious reversal of position in a messy string of events for Navy leaders and the Pentagon.
The outbreak on the USS Roosevelt spiraled out of control quickly due to the close quarters in which sailors live on ships. At least 840 sailors tested positive for the coronavirus of the 5,000-member crew.
Captain Crozier himself tested positive for Covid-19 several weeks ago. His firing led Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly to resign his post.
BREAKING: Officials say the top Navy officer has recommended the reinstatement of Capt. Brett Crozier, who was fired over an email pleading for help to protect his crew from a coronavirus outbreak. https://t.co/XpziQEM40I
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 24, 2020
The number of total people infected with the coronavirus aboard the ship is likely higher than 840. Testing for Covid-19 remains far from perfect, with contaminations and false positives plaguing tests from giving us a true picture of how many people get infected with the virus.