8 l 2 l 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Lena Wallace
Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) Christened The U.S. Navy’s 22nd Virginia-class submarine, Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), was christened July 31 at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. Like all Virginia-class submarines, SSN 795 was built by shipbuilders at Newport News Shipbuilding and Electric Boat as part of a teaming agreement. NNS President Jennifer Boykin attended the event and represented the thousands of NNS shipbuilders who worked to build the submarine. “I’m very fortunate to get to see the responsibility, courage,
determination and mastery that our shipbuilding team delivers every day. Throughout the pandemic, these patriots carry the weight of our nation’s defense on their shoulders, and this submarine is proof of their success,” she said. During the ceremony, Sarah Greenert McNichol, the matron of honor and daughter of Ship’s Sponsor Darleen Greenert, broke the ceremonial bottle of sparkling wine across the submarine’s bow. Darleen Greenert is a Navy veteran and wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert. CONTINUED ON PG 2
COVID-19 Update Newport News Shipbuilding continues to monitor Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state guidance regarding the delta variant of COVID-19 and the rise in confirmed cases in our region and in our shipyard. While these changing dynamics prove to be very frustrating, our primary objective is to keep our shipbuilders safe by staying ahead of a potential relapse of the pandemic. In the last two weeks in Virginia, positive COVID-19 cases have more than doubled from 2.5% to 6%. Most of the Hampton Roads region’s positivity rates are above the state average. And while these numbers are significantly lower than the peak cases earlier this year, our shipbuilder vaccination rate is only 53%. The frequently asked questions issued last week have been updated
to provide additional details based on your feedback. Specifically, we have clarified the mask policy when social distancing can be maintained. If you are in a meeting or work space and can maintain social distance of at least 6 feet of separation from others, and you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to wear a mask. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must continue to wear a mask. While the delta variant of COVID-19 poses new challenges, the CDC recommends that everyone get vaccinated to better protect themselves and their loved ones. Employees are urged to get vaccinated at the HII Family Health Center or in the community. Self-report your vaccination status by logging into your UPoint account from www.hiibenefits.com. Employees vaccinated through the NNS program do not need to self-report.