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A2 UP FRONT
Saturday 14 March 2020

Trump declares virus pandemic a national emergency

Continued from Front speaker's balcony at the
Capitol ahead of Trump's
Trump also waived interest news conference at the
on federally held student White House, as the pow-
loans and moved to prop er centers of Washington
up energy markets, by di- were shuttered to visitors.
recting the Department of "Our nation, our great na-
Energy to buy oil to fill the tion has faced crisis be-
strategic petroleum reserve fore," Pelosi said. "And
"'right up to the top." every time, thanks to the
Trump said he was also giv- courage and optimism of
ing Secretary of Health and the American people, we
Human Services Alex Azar have prevailed. Now, work-
emergency authorities to ing together, we will once
waive federal regulations again prevail."
and laws to give doctors Trump has not yet pub-
and hospitals "flexibility" in licly backed the package,
treating patients. making its outcome uncer-
"Through a very collective tain in Congress.
action and shared sacri- Central to the package
fice, national determina- is free testing for the virus
tion, we will overcome the and guaranteed sick pay
threat of the virus," Trump for workers who are taking
said. time away from jobs, along Queues are prepared for tourists at the Capitol Visitor Center amid reports that organized visits
He also announced a new with an infusion of dollars may be shut down soon, in Washington, Thursday, March 12, 2020. Associated Press
public-private partnership to handle unemployment
to expand coronavirus test- benefits and boost food enormous pressure, deal- In one welcome announce- "people should understand
ing capabilities, as his ad- programs for children, fami- ing with the crisis on multi- ment, the administration the numbers are going
ministration has come un- lies and seniors. ple fronts as it encroached said Friday it was awarding to go up before they go
der fire for being too slow in Pelosi and Treasury Secre- ever closer on the presi- $1.3 million to two compa- down."
making the test available. tary Steven Mnuchin, whom dent. nies trying to develop rapid Pelosi and Mnuchin con-
The partnership will include Trump tapped to negotiate The virus has swept in alarm- COVID-19 tests that could tinued their constant cross-
drive-thru testing in some for the administration, have ing ways across American detect within an hour town phone calls through-
locations and an online engaged in around-the- life, sending the financial whether a person is positive out a tense morning of
portal to screen those seek- clock negotiations. markets into a dangerous for the new coronavirus. negotiations to firm up and
ing to get tested. But Republican leaders in slide and shuttering schools For most people, the new salvage the emerging deal
Still, Trump said that officials Congress slowed the deal, and sporting events and coronavirus causes only that has widespread sup-
don't want people taking wanting assurances that limiting everyday interac- mild or moderate symp- port from Democrats and
the test unless they have Trump would publicly sup- tions in communities across toms, such as fever and some in the business com-
certain symptoms. "It's to- port the agreement before the country. cough. For some, especial- munity seeking certainty.
tally unnecessary," Trump signing off on it ahead of The administration's federal ly older adults and people Providing sick pay for work-
said. He added, "This will any vote, according to a task force managing the with existing health prob- ers is a crucial element of
pass." top congressional aide un- crisis was working furiously lems, it can cause more se- federal efforts to stop the
Trump made no reference authorized to discuss the to break a bottleneck in vere illness, including pneu- rapid spread of the infec-
to negotiations between private talks and speaking the nation's ability to test for monia. tion. Officials warn that the
the White House and Con- on condition of anonymity. the new virus, and weigh- The vast majority of people nation's healthcare system
gress on a broader aid GOP leader Kevin McCa- ing what sort of emergency recover. According to the could quickly become
package, as House Demo- rthy of California, the House powers Trump would need World Health Organization, overwhelmed with gravely
crats prepare to vote on minority leader, huddled to invoke to provide need- people with mild illness re- sick patients, as suddenly
their own measure Friday. with Mnuchin and Trump ed aid to overwhelmed cover in about two weeks, happened in Italy, one of
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at the White House earlier state and local govern- while those with more se- the countries hardest hit by
Friday the House would ap- Friday. ments. vere illness may take three the virus.
prove its coronavirus aid "We can only defeat this And a personal health to six weeks to be over it. The ability to ensure pay-
package, imploring the outbreak if we have an ac- scare intensified as White Earlier Friday, Mnuchin checks will keep flowing —
Trump administration and curate determination of its House officials worked to sounded an optimistic for people who stay home
congressional Republicans scale and scope, so that determine the level of ex- note. "I think we're very as a preventative measure
to "put families first" by we can pursue the precise posure by the president close to getting this done," or because they're feeling
backing the effort to pro- science-based response and senior aides to several he said in an appearance ill or caring for others — can
vide Americans with relief. that is necessary to put foreign officials who have on CNBC. help assure Americans they
The House Democratic families first," Pelosi said. since tested positive for the On the COVID-19 illness, will not fall into financial
leader spoke from the The White House is under virus. Mnuchin cautioned that hardship. q