National Guard Partners With Solano County Food Bank

BAY AREA, CA — The California National Guard could soon pitch in to help feed Contra Costa and Solano counties. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has 30 National Guard members at the Fairfield warehouse in Solano County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, said spokesperson Lisa Sherrill.

The troops were to perform humanitarian work such as assembling 1,000 emergency food boxes and bagging produce, she said.

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald J. Trump declared a major disaster and activated the guard in the Golden State, Washington and New York due to concerns about the new coronavirus.

"These states have been hit the hardest," Trump said during a Sunday press briefing.

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Trump also said Sunday he would send the USNS Mercy, a massive Navy hospital ship, to Los Angeles to help treat the area's surge of coronavirus patients. Previously, officials in Seattle had expected the ship would head there.

Meanwhile, the president said FEMA would send medical supplies to California, New York and Washington to help the hard-hit states respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Medical beds, N95 masks and gowns will be sent within the next 48 hours, Trump said.

The Major Disaster Declaration will aid people impacted by the outbreak and related economic downturn, Newsom's office said.

"We appreciate the quick response and partnership from the White House," Newsom said in a statement.

— Patch editor Nick Garber contributed to this report.