LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has called up the Michigan National Guard to help the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services assemble and load critical personal protective gear, such as gloves, gowns and face shields, for local health departments responding to the spreading coronavirus."The Michigan National Guard has been involved with the COVID-19 response from a planning and coordination standpoint since the State Emergency Operations Center was stood up," Whitmer said March 18. "The men and women of the Michigan National Guard are part of the fabric of our communities and I am confident they are ready to support state and local agencies as this response continues.""The members of the Michigan National Guard are experienced and proven professionals," said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general. "Our units frequently train and respond side-by-side with state and local emergency responders, making them well suited for domestic operations. The National Guard has unique capabilities, providing local first responders with additional resources to combat COVID-19."For more National Guard news: http://www.nationalguard.mil/National Guard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalGuard/National Guard Twitter: https://twitter.com/usnationalguardNational Guard COVID-19 Response: https://www.nationalguard.mil/coronavirus/COVID-19 Response: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thenationalguard/albums/72157713483827538