US President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency over the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, unlocking additional powers and funding for disaster response and getting FEMA involved in the efforts to curb the disease.
“To unleash the full power of the federal government,” Trump said in an address from the White House Rose Garden on Friday, “I am officially declaring a national emergency.” Trump said that the declaration will free up $50 billion in funding to tackle the spread of the illness.
Trump added that he is “asking every hospital in the country” to activate their emergency preparation plans, and ordering every state to set up emergency operations centers.
