In this still image from the Jan. 14, Col. James Yastrzemsky, center, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux commander, discusses issues that affect the community with Maj. Cesar Patino, left, director of Emergency Services, and Lt. Col. William Frost, right, garrison chief of staff.
Notes from the Jan. 14 Coffee with the Commander
CHIÈVRES, Belgium – Col. James Yastrzemsky, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, hosted the first Coffee with the Commander Jan. 14 at the garrison headquarters.
In the studio with Yastrzemsky was Lt. Col. William Frost, the garrison chief of staff, and Maj. Cesar Patino, the director of Emergency Services.
Yastrzemsky began by wishing the garrison community a happy New Year and thanking everyone for their holiday spirit at the end of 2020.
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The focus of the town hall was set to be COVID-19 and the vaccinations, which began at the garrison the previous week.
Col. Kathy Spangler, commander of the SHAPE Healthcare Facility and Brussels Army Health Clinic, joined the group by telephone.
Yastrzemsky let the audience know that the 2020 year in review is available at the garrison website. Then, talking about how the garrison has met the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, he thanked the community for their flexibility.
He reiterated the current general order regarding COVID-19 prevention. He also recounted the current host nation COVID-19 prevention measures, how Belgium has extended restrictions out to March 1 and how the Dutch government extended their restrictions until Feb. 9. The AFNorth school has extended its remote learning through Feb. 7. COVID-19 restrictions and resources, as they apply to the USAG Benelux community, are available at the garrison’s COVID-19 page here.
From that, Yastrzemsky began with the vaccine update.
In USAG Benelux, 95 percent of the vaccines that are to go out to top priority individuals (front-line workers, medical personnel) have been accomplished. Yastrzemsky broke down the priorities as established by the DoD. To learn more about those priorities, click here (https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Operation-Warp-Speed/).
Spangler joined to talk about the vaccine. Currently, the clinics are only able to distribute the vaccine to U.S. personnel. The clinic is waiting for guidance on providing the vaccine to host nation personnel. Locally, Belgium is establishing vaccine distribution centers, which will be open to people regardless of nationality. Those distribution centers are prioritizing medical and emergency personnel also.
Spangler also discussed the trepidation some people may have about receiving a vaccine. Mostly so far, the clinic has seen personnel with tenderness where the shot was made. They expect that chills, slight fevers or fatigue may also occur.
“The benefit outweighs the risk in receiving the vaccine,” Spangler said.
She also assured the audience that Food and Drug Administration guidance was followed in the creation of the vaccine. In the European theater, the DoD uses the Moderna vaccine because it is easier to ship overseas.
Yastrzemsky asked Spangler about the 28-day separation between shots. Spangler said it “reminds” the immune system and gives it a boost against the virus. If someone misses the 28th day, it is okay, said Spangler. The 28-day timeframe is simply a target.
According to the CDC, the vaccine is approved for pregnant or breastfeeding women and those aspiring to be mothers.
Spangler went on to talk about influenza vaccinations. She said they did not want anyone to have other vaccinations near the same time as the Moderna vaccine just so clinic personnel can accurately track side effects related to this vaccine.
Ultimately, Yastrzemsky and Spangler recommended that individuals talk to their providers regarding concerns about the vaccination.
Patino asked whether individuals, especially those permanently changing station, can mix and match their first and second COVID-19 shots. Spangler said that both shots have to be of the same vaccine.
Yastrzemsky asked about individuals in the tri-border community who were serviced by the Geilenkirchen clinic. Medical personnel and first responders were able to come to Belgium to receive vaccinations.
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After discussion of COVID-19 with Spangler, Kent Worford, superintendent for DoDEA – Europe, West District, joined the discussion by telephone to deliver an update on the schools.
AFNorth will continue remote learning through Feb. 7.
Some students will be returning to brick-and-mortar schools. Worford asked parents to reach out to their schools to learn further details.
AFNorth and SHAPE schools will have a teacher work day Jan. 22.
Final exams will begin next week for the SHAPE schools. This is to ensure that students meet their 14-day quarantine requirement if they traveled during the holiday break.
For the Brussels American School, Jan. 15 is a teacher work day.
Yastrzemsky asked whether there had been many cases following the break, and according to Worford, there hadn’t been because they’ve been following protocol.
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Patino updated the community on important information from the Directorate of Emergency Services.
He stressed important points about fire safety.
Space heaters are not authorized on U.S. government facilities. He cautioned individuals using the space heaters at home to keep them away from combustible items and never to plug them into extension cords.
Next he recommended community members check and maintain any heaters in the home.
He also recommended that all fire extinguishers in the home are working. DES is happy to provide fire extinguisher training.
For safety on the road, Patino recommended pre-programming emergency numbers and roadside assistance numbers. Those emergency numbers are posted on the garrison website (https://home.army.mil/benelux/index.php/about/Garrison/DES).
He also recommended keeping an emergency kit in the car in case of stranding during the winter. The same goes for the home.
Community members should also sign up for the emergency alert system. Links are provided on the garrison website.
During the winter, tires should be checked to ensure they are correct for winter driving and that they are not exhibiting excessive wear and tear. All fluids, including antifreeze, should be checked as well.
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Nathan Rowland, director of Public Works, joined the group by telephone. He encouraged community members in government-leased housing to take the annual housing satisfaction survey. The survey is open until Jan. 29.
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Stacy Perez, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, joined by telephone to talk about Tour de Benelux, a fitness event taking place from Feb. 1 through May 1, where participants take part virtually, logging their kilometers they run, bike, swim, and so forth. More information is available here: https://chievres.armymwr.com/calendar/event/tour-de-benelux/4889183/55309.
Story time is also available at libraries throughout the garrison and will be conducted according to prevention measures.
Perez also addressed concerns about hosting fitness classes, and she assured the audience that all classes were being conducted according to DoD and host nation prevention measures.
As an update on the Bene Brew, DFMWR continues to work to open the upcoming Chièvres Air Base coffee shop.
For further information on DFMWR, visit:
- Chièvres / SHAPE community: https://chievres.armymwr.com/
- Brussels / Sterrebeek community: https://brussels.armymwr.com/
- Tri-border community: https://brunssum.armymwr.com/
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Frost spoke about the Digital Garrison app, available on smartphones.
New updates to the app are happening all the time. Frost recommended everyone who is a community member to download the app and register at USAG Benelux.
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Finally, Yastrzemsky recommended federal employees visit the Combined Federal Campaign website and consider giving to a charity of choice.
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Because Jan. 18 is the U.S. federal holiday Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Yastrzemsky asked the trivia question of the audience: What year did King receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
He closed off with the quote by the civil rights activist: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Yastrzemsky said even among our differences, we are all in many ways the same.
“Please continue to treat each other with dignity and respect,” said Yastrzemsky, closing out the Coffee with the commander. “Continue to be nice to one another.”
USAG Benelux Public Affairs