The Militarization of US Government Response to COVID-19 and What We Can Do About It

Abstract

This article details six broad areas of current political need and opportunity as the US government ramps up the militarization of its response to the coronavirus pandemic. We must take collective action on these areas in the time of coronavirus: (1) practicing community-based defense instead of militarized security; (2) differentiating what is acceptable versus unacceptable military response; (3) putting coronavirus in context with ongoing war and domestic militarism; (4) resisting Coronavirus Capitalism; (5) demanding that the Department of Defense adequately protect all military personnel from COVID-19; and (6) acting in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and international communities.