US Navy fires captain who sought help for coronavirus-stricken ship

The US Navy has fired the captain of an aircraft carrier who faced a growing outbreak of the new coronavirus on his ship, saying he created a panic by sending his memo pleading for help to too many people. Key points: Captain Crozier will be removed from his post, but will keep his rank and remain in the Navy He had asked to remove all but 10 per cent of his crew as the virus spread through the ship Democrats on the House committee issued a joint statement in support of Captain Crozier In a four-page memo to Navy leaders, the captain of the nuclear-powered warship said the spread of the disease was ongoing and accelerating, and said that removing all but 10 per cent of the crew was a "necessary risk" in order to stop the spread of the virus. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said the ship's commander Brett Crozier "demonstrated extremely poor judgment" in the middle of a crisis. Mr Modly told Pentagon reporters during an abruptly called press conference that Captain Crozier should have gone directly to his immediate commanders, who were already moving to help the ship. "Captain Crozier was justifiably concerned about the health and safety of his crew, but he did not handle the immense pressure appropriately," the statement said.