YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jamael Tito Brown advised the public that Ohio National Guard troops in Youngstown and elsewhere are performing tasks such as identifying sites for mobile hospitals.

Mobile hospitals could, as needed, handle the overflow of patients from local hospitals. They also distribute supplies, the mayor said.

They are doing this work in coordination with the Emergency Management Agency and Ohio Department of Health, he said.

“These efforts are part of the governor’s expanded plan to slow the spread of COVID-19 and treat those affected,” he said. “National Guard mobilization is a regular aspect of disaster relief in this country.”

He noted that the virus outbreak differs from the hurricanes and tornadoes guardsmen usually respond to, but the virus is “no less destructive.”

He added: “National Guard units will not be performing any law- enforcement duties in Ohio. The Youngstown Police Department is now — and will continue to be — our city’s law-enforcement team. As always, the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Highway Patrol stand ready to help all local law enforcement.”

Brown said he’s had questions from people about guardsmen being in the city, and felt it would be wise to address the matter to avoid people drawing the wrong conclusions. “It’s facts over fear,” he said.

“These are unprecedented times, but we will get through them together and be a stronger community for having weathered this storm,” he said. “Stay home except for essential errands. Stay safe when you do need to go out. Life will return to normal. Please be kind to one another.”

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, told reporters that he had spoken with hospital officials and the general in charge of the National Guardsmen regarding “key facilities” that might be used to “absorb people from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.”

He named the Covelli Centre and Youngstown State University as possible sites. Brown agreed those are “definitely two of the sites they are looking at” because they are well-lit, clean and large enough to house a field hospital.

Brown said, however:”Until they put a pin on a map, it’s just looking at potential locations.”

Ryan also noted Wednesday the The Surgical Hospital at Southwoods in Boardman “has been a really key private-sector partner in absorbing the overflow.”

Commanding the Guard in Ohio is Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., adjutant general, Joint Force Headquarters, in Columbus.. Harris assumed these duties on January 14, 2019.

Appointed by the governor, Harris serves as principal adviser on all National Guard procedures and is responsible for both federal and state missions. The Ohio National Guard consists of the Ohio Army National Guard, Ohio Air National Guard, Ohio Military Reserve, and Ohio Naval Militia, totaling more than 16,000 personnel.

runyan@tribtoday.com