Trump declares virus emergency; Pelosi announces aid deal
14 March, 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency in order to free up additional money and resources. But he denied any responsibility for delays in making testing available for the brand new virus, whose spread has roiled markets and disrupted the lives of everyday Americans.
Speaking from the Rose Garden, Trump said, “I am officially declaring a national emergency,” unleashing as much as $50 billion for state and local governments to respond to the outbreak.
Trump also announced a variety of executive actions, including a new public-private partnership to expand coronavirus testing capacities with drive-through locations, as his administration has come under fire for being too slow to make the test available.
Trump said, “I don’t take responsibility at all” for the slow rollout of testing.
Late Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a handle the Trump administration for an aid package from Congress that is aimed at direct relief to Americans - free testing, two weeks of sick pay for workers, enhanced unemployment benefits and bolstered food programs.
“We are proud to reach an agreement with the Administration to solve outstanding challenges, and now will soon pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” Pelosi announced in a letter to colleagues. THE HOME was poised to vote.
The crush of late-day activity capped a tumultuous week in Washington as the fast-moving virus shuttered the capital’s power centers, roiled financial markets and left ordinary Americans suddenly navigating through self-quarantines, school closures and a changed life-style.
The White House was under enormous pressure, dealing with the crisis on multiple fronts as it encroached ever closer on the president.
Trump has been recognized to flout public health advice - eagerly shaking hands through the a lot more than hour-long afternoon event - but acknowledged he “probably” will be tested now after having experienced contact with several officials who've tested positive for the virus. “Fairly soon,” he said.
Still, Trump said officials don’t want persons taking the test unless they have certain symptoms. “We don’t want persons without symptoms to go and do this test,” Trump said, adding, “It’s totally unnecessary.”
Additionally, Trump took a number of other actions to bolster energy markets, ease the financial burden for Americans with student education loans and give doctors additional “flexibility” in treating patients during the public health crisis.
“Through an extremely collective action and shared sacrifice, national determination, we will overcome the risk of the virus,” Trump said.
Central to the aid package from Congress, which builds on a crisis $8.3 billion measure approved the other day, is the free testing and sick pay provisions.
Providing sick purchase workers is an essential factor of federal efforts to avoid the rapid spread of the infection. Officials warn that the nation’s healthcare system could swiftly become overwhelmed with gravely sick patients, as suddenly happened in Italy, among the countries hardest hit by the virus.
The opportunity to ensure paychecks will keep flowing - for folks who stay home as a preventative measure or because they’re feeling ill or looking after others - can help assure Americans they'll not fall into monetaray hardship.
Source: the-japan-news.com