Late Friday night President Trump declared New York state a disaster area.
Trump’s order opens up federal support for state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by COVID-19, the White House said in a statement, The Hill reported.
Under the disaster declaration, FEMA will be authorized to send its personnel and resources to New York. FEMA can help set up mobile coronavirus testing centers, disinfect public facilities, and provide the state with medical supplies that are in high demand such as face masks, gloves and surgical gowns.
Trump has already signed two coronavirus stimulus packages that cost more than $100 billion combined. The third stimulus bill being negotiated by senators will cost roughly $1 trillion, Syracuse.com reported
The move allows the federal government to pay up to 75 percent of New York’s costs for its emergency response to the pandemic, Syracuse.com reported.
It’s the first time in U.S. history that a president has declared a major disaster over a public health threat. Such aid is usually reserved for natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods.
