The Trump administration has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for
New York, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United
States, officials said.
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.”
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.
https://nypost.com/2020/03/20/fema-issues-major-disaster-declaration-for-new-york-over-coronavirus/
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