The Trump administration has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for New York, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, officials said as quoted by New York Post.
The emergency declaration Friday from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) unlocks access to a nationwide pot of $42 billion in vital aid from the Disaster Relief Fund, as the number of confirmed New York cases soar and critical medical supplies remain scarce, according to Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer.
“With no time to waste, the administration heeded the call and approved the nation’s first Major Disaster Declaration in response to the coronavirus, right here in New York,” Schumer said in a statement. “With more and more cases confirmed here each day, it’s imperative that the federal government does everything within its power to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus.”
FEMA needs to get to work NOW to open these MANY billions in direct aid for New York and individuals to help save lives and protect public health. The declaration is typically ordered in the wake of natural disasters, like Hurricane Sandy or other major storms and flooding events.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statewide lockdown earlier Friday to take effect this Sunday, with more than 8,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed in New York.
More than 5,000 of those cases are in New York City, where 29 people have died. One of Cuomo’s own staff members in his press shop has reportedly tested positive for the virus, as well. The aid would come at a 75-25 cost share, but the state’s share could be lowered if President Trump issues a waiver, according to Schumer’s office.
State health officials fear the pandemic will quickly overwhelm the roughly 3,000 ICU beds empty at any given time and the estimated 5,000-6,000 ventilators on hand. Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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