U.S. President has declared a national emergency (NE), that move allowed to open up $50 billion in federal aid to curb the COVID-19 spreading across the country, China.org reports. In the US, 40 deaths from COVID-19 were registered so far.
The national emergency, these “two very big words’, opens a new opportunity for the USA in fighting against the pathogen originated in China.
“I am officially declaring a national emergency. Two very big words,” Trump told journalists on Friday in the Rose Garden.
The access to up to 50 billion U.S. dollars in federal aid will definitely in timely assistance for the whole nation where coronavirus outbreak is strengthening day by day. The financial support to help Americans affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the president said.
Commenting on his decision, Mr Trump said he was empowering the secretary of health and human services to waive certain laws and regulations to ensure the virus can be contained and patients treated.
In his speech in Rose Garden, the US leader also said that he was ordering every state in the country to set up emergency operation centres in a bid to help stem the spread of the pathogen virus.
US: The national emergency declaration unlocks additional resources
Washington Governor Jay Inslee thanked President for understanding the moment. The NE declaration opens access to the additional resources and authorities for all states to fight against virus in a more effective and fast way.
‘I am hopeful the president’s actions today will provide the assistance I asked for to help the workers, businesses, families and communities that are being impacted across Washington state,” Inslee added.
In fact, coronavirus response becomes the top priority in the United States. So, under the Stafford Act, an “infectious disease emergency declaration” by Trump would allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide disaster relief funding to the local governments.
The law allows the agency to circumvent legal barriers to more quickly distribute such aid.
As of Saturday morning, the US reported 1,663 COVID-19 cases with at least 40 deaths, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
