President Trump is reportedly considering a national disaster declaration for the coronavirus outbreak to free up funds.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday that Trump was weighing the option, which under the Stafford Act could make up to $40 billion available in immediate aid for his administration’s efforts to combat the virus.
“I am fully prepared to use the full power of the Federal Government to deal with our current challenge of the CoronaVirus!” Trump tweeted on Wednesday. It is not clear whether he was referencing reports of a national disaster declaration.
I am fully prepared to use the full power of the Federal Government to deal with our current challenge of the CoronaVirus!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 11, 2020
The president is expected to deliver a statement to the nation about the coronavirus at 9 p.m. EDT.
At least 1,050 people in the United States have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus, resulting in 31 deaths as of Wednesday afternoon. Globally, more than 120,000 people have been infected, and at least 4,373 have died.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic, and many countries are implementing strict measures to stop the spread of the quickly spreading illness. On Monday, Italy announced that it was locking down its entire country of about 60 million people.
