US Navy Brings Massive Floating Hospital to Virus-Stricken NYC

In times of desperation, these trying times as every has been so fond of calling them, Americans unite in ways that few elsewhere in the world can truly understand.

That’s because, somewhere deep in our bones, is the pride that comes with living in the first nation to really give self-governance a try.  We were the originators of freedom incarnate, and by God we aim to keep it up until the end of time.  No kings, no emperors, and only one Prince – but he gave us songs like “Purple Rain”, so we’ll let it slide.

Now, as we come together stay apart to face the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus, it has become rather apparent that this is an all-hands-on-deck situation requiring some mighty help.

That’s where the US Navy comes in.

The USNS Comfort arrived in New York on Monday, bringing a massive Navy hospital ship to help relieve city hospitals overwhelmed by coronavirus patients.

The 1,000-bed floating hospital docked Monday at Pier 90 on Manhattan’s West Side, and is set to begin treating patients Tuesday.

“Our nation has heard our plea for help here in New York City,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said as he greeted the ship at Pier 90. “There could not be a better example of all of America pulling for New York City than the arrival of the USNS Comfort.”

The ship, emblazoned with red crosses on its white hull, will not treat coronavirus patients, but will take on other patients including trauma cases, freeing up beds at local hospitals focused on combating the pandemic. It will have 750 beds ready to treat patients immediately.

The Comfort is staffed by 1,200 medical personnel and equipped with operating rooms, a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, digital radiology, a CAT scan, two oxygen-producing plants and a helicopter deck.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio described the sight of the massive vessel docking in The Big Apple as a “beacon of hope”, and onlookers gathered, (six feet apart from one another), to watch her come into port.