New document reveals military’s vast involvement in Operation Warp Speed

(MOLLY FERGUSON FOR STAT)

A new chart obtained by STAT reveals the fullest picture yet of the vast scope and organization of Operation Warp Speed, the federal government's $10 billion initiative to accelerate Covid-19 vaccines and therapies. The document shows a highly structured venture in which military personnel greatly outnumber civilian scientists — by a margin of more than two to one. Although the military's massive involvement in the response to Covid-19 is a departure from pandemics past, it is fitting for Trump, who has raved about “my military” and “my generals.” At the same time, some public health leaders are concerned about the overreliance on the military. “Military personnel won’t be familiar with the health resources available in a community,” one expert tells STAT. Read more from STAT's Nicholas Florko, who also has more here on the eight major figures involved in Operation Warp Speed.