200513-N-VI515-1059 LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2020) Retail Services Specialist 2nd Class Tyesha Pointer, right, from Decatur, Ala., and Retail Services Specialist 3rd Class Ernesto Barillas, from Visalia, Calif., sort linens onboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). Mercy deployed in support of the nation's COVID-19 response efforts, and serves as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients currently admitted to shore-based hospitals. This allows shore-based hospitals to focus their efforts on COVID-19 cases. One of the Department of Defense's missions is Defense Support of Civil Authorities. DoD is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the lead federal agency, as well as state, local and public health authorities in helping protect the health and safety of the American people. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erwin Jacob Miciano/Released)