President Trump spoke to the nation to day and declared a National Emergency due to coronavirus. As many are aware, a state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to perform actions or impose policies that it would normally not be permitted to undertake. A government may declare such a state during a natural disaster, medical pandemics/epidemics, civil unrest, or armed conflict.
WHO declared coronavirus a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
What does this mean for the oridinary person? Such declarations alert citizens to change their normal behavior, and orders government agencies to implement emergency plans. Several such plans were outlined during the President's address:
- 1.4 million tests will be available as of next week. Dr. Deborah Burkes spoke saying not everyone needs a test. Quest and LabCore are showing 1-2% of people with respiratory illnesses are testing positive so far. Meaning that 98-99% of people experiencing respiratory illnesses do not have coronavirus.
- They announced a site for you to be able to screen your symptoms and learn when and where you can be tested if the need arises. The Google site will be announced Sunday.
- Many stores, Walgreens, Walmart, CVS and others will work together with the CDC to create testing areas in select areas. Manufactures, Quest and Labcore are fully engaged in cooperation with the CDC and FDA, approving, creating and implementing the testing needed.
- College Students: Emergency Executive Action to waive all interest on loans held by the Federal Government.
- Vice President Pence stated that effective at midnight, travel from foreign countries has been suspended and/or screened heavily.
- He spoke alot about the actions that President Trump has been taking over the past few weeks.
- Remember to wash hands and stay home if you're not feeling well.
Addditional coronavirus preventation guidelines may be found at https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/prevention/
