The Maryland National Guard has been deployed to the city of Baltimore in preparation to assist local authorities with humanitarian aid, as city leaders express frustration that citizens are refusing to follow orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

City leaders told The Baltimore Sun on Friday that many citizens and businesses in the community have defied mandates by state and local officials prohibiting all social gatherings.

While citizens have yet to receive a “shelter-in-place” order, the city is quickly locking down, and a ban on all nonessential travel might not be far off.

“It is frustrating and shortsighted to see some disregarding the safety of their neighbors and risking the spread of COVID-19 for the purpose of socializing,” Baltimore Police Chief Melissa Hyatt said in a statement.

“We have a duty to enforce the law within the authority that we are granted for the community to understand the magnitude of this pandemic,” Hyatt added.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has prohibited social gatherings of more than 10 people and also ordered many nonessential businesses to close, as The Sun reported.

Yet many individuals and businesses in the city, despite warnings about the potential public health threat posed by the coronavirus, have defied the order to self-isolate.

“These are not recommendations; these are lifesaving measures that we will enforce,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said in a statement.

“These measures are necessary because we continue to see selfish and reckless behavior that jeopardizes the health and well-being of our loved ones, friends and neighbors,” Olszewski added.

Baltimore police spokeswoman Vickie Warehime, meanwhile, told The Sun the department “has been responding to reports of large social gatherings, mostly of teenagers, but also had to shut down some smaller gyms that remained open despite Hogan’s order.”

“If you do violate the governor’s orders, we’re ready to take action,” Warehime told the newspaper.

The presence of military vehicles in the streets of the city was reported Friday on Twitter and later by local media.

Military vehicles spotted in downtown Baltimore, near the stadiums… pic.twitter.com/YDwCUKJ51p — FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) March 20, 2020

The Maryland National Guard attempted to quell rumors of a coming declaration of martial law.

“To our neighbors, there is not a threat of martial law,” the guard’s verified Twitter account posted.

“If you see a @MDNG Humvee on your street, know we are helping someone in need! Whether it’s delivering much needed supplies or setting up tents for health screening stations, we are working for you!”

To our neighbors, there is not a threat of martial law. If you see a @MDNG Humvee on your street, know we are helping someone in need! Whether it’s delivering much needed supplies or setting up tents for health screening stations, we are working for you!https://t.co/CoD3ycAQ39 — MD National Guard (@MDNG) March 20, 2020

Published 19 hours ago on March 21, 2020By Chief Editor

The Maryland National Guard has been deployed to the city of Baltimore in preparation to assist local authorities with humanitarian aid, as city leaders express frustration that citizens are refusing to follow orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

City leaders told The Baltimore Sun on Friday that many citizens and businesses in the community have defied mandates by state and local officials prohibiting all social gatherings.

Realistic Game For Men

Realistic Game For Men

While citizens have yet to receive a “shelter-in-place” order, the city is quickly locking down, and a ban on all nonessential travel might not be far off.

“It is frustrating and shortsighted to see some disregarding the safety of their neighbors and risking the spread of COVID-19 for the purpose of socializing,” Baltimore Police Chief Melissa Hyatt said in a statement.

“We have a duty to enforce the law within the authority that we are granted for the community to understand the magnitude of this pandemic,” Hyatt added.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has prohibited social gatherings of more than 10 people and also ordered many nonessential businesses to close, as The Sun reported.

Yet many individuals and businesses in the city, despite warnings about the potential public health threat posed by the coronavirus, have defied the order to self-isolate.

Learn more about RevenueStripe…

“These are not recommendations; these are lifesaving measures that we will enforce,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said in a statement.

“These measures are necessary because we continue to see selfish and reckless behavior that jeopardizes the health and well-being of our loved ones, friends and neighbors,” Olszewski added.

Baltimore police spokeswoman Vickie Warehime, meanwhile, told The Sun the department “has been responding to reports of large social gatherings, mostly of teenagers, but also had to shut down some smaller gyms that remained open despite Hogan’s order.”

“If you do violate the governor’s orders, we’re ready to take action,” Warehime told the newspaper.

The presence of military vehicles in the streets of the city was reported Friday on Twitter and later by local media.

Peter R. Quinones

@PeterRQuinones

Baltimore

View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on Twitter

1,891

9:33 PM – Mar 20, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

1,041 people are talking about this

FOX Baltimore

✔

@FOXBaltimore

Military vehicles spotted in downtown Baltimore, near the stadiums…

View image on TwitterView image on Twitter

1,125

11:10 PM – Mar 20, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

1,018 people are talking about this

The Maryland National Guard attempted to quell rumors of a coming declaration of martial law.

“To our neighbors, there is not a threat of martial law,” the guard’s verified Twitter account posted.

“If you see a @MDNG Humvee on your street, know we are helping someone in need! Whether it’s delivering much needed supplies or setting up tents for health screening stations, we are working for you!”

MD National Guard

✔

@MDNG

To our neighbors, there is not a threat of martial law.

If you see a @MDNG Humvee on your street, know we are helping someone in need! Whether it’s delivering much needed supplies or setting up tents for health screening stations, we are working for you!https://www.wbaltv.com/article/national-guard-preparation-health-screening/31824935?fbclid=IwAR1S5Dt9GCDmq8W7VBNQdqAr3P6_plk1vusOhyVSlg5OAMrGIiQqb1fr-KY# …

National Guard sets up tents in preparation for health screening

The Maryland National Guard is working to establish a pilot health-screening location outside FedEx Field in Prince George’s County.

wbaltv.com

1,487

11:35 PM – Mar 20, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

885 people are talking about this

WBFF reported the guard is staging as a precaution and its members are ready to carry out humanitarian missions.

“The Guard’s deployment helps provide resources we need to support the work being done to keep Baltimore healthy,” Baltimore Mayor Jack Young said in a statement.

“I am confident that the deployment of the National Guard will help ensure Baltimore City has everything it needs to fully address COVID-19. I would like to thank Governor Hogan for working closely with,” Young added.