PREZ Trump declares national emergency to protect US nationals, economy, against COVID-19 & 50 billion $ fund to fight coronavirus

SUKUMAR Roy

POTUS   Donald Trump has declared a national state of emergency as the Geneva based World Health Organization (WHO) named Europe the new epicentre of the coronavirus and the virus is spreading fast across the globe. He also declared National Day of Prayer for this upcoming Sunday, shortly after declaring a state of emergency. “We are a country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these….,” Trump tweeted. “No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will easily PREVAIL!”With upcoming national and international sporting events being postponed, malls and educational institutions being shut in most of the affected countries including India and sealing of borders and restrictions on travelling, The White House on Friday, March 12, invoked the emergency measures to tackle the dreaded virus. “To unleash the full power of the federal government, I’m officially declaring a national emergency,” Trump said, announcing $50 billion in federal funds to battle the fast-spreading pandemic. the measure came as infections and deaths soared in Europe, with WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus saying the continent now had “more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China.” Trump says Coronavirus Response by the US is intended to protect America’s economy, workers and businesses. “Showing strong and effective leadership when we need it most, President Trump addressed the nation Wednesday night and unveiled a two-pronged program of health and economic actions to deal with the coronavirus pandemic,” Andy Puzder writes for Fox News. Vice President Mike Pence said yesterday that the Trump Administration is “working every single day to clear out any red tape to make [Coronavirus] tests more and more available. Right now, every state lab in America can conduct testing.” President Trump has also brought in leaders from America’s top commercial labs, including Quest and LabCorp, to work with the Administration, Joshua Nelson reports for Fox News. “Some 150,000 illegal immigrants from 72 nations with cases of the coronavirus have been apprehended or deemed inadmissible from entering the United States since November,” according to officials. These apprehensions underscore the need for border security and proper vetting, says Paul Bedard in the Washington Examiner. In Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and his senior colleagues is constantly monitoring the unprecedented situation created by COVID-19. GOI has declared face masks and hand sanitisers as essential commodities banning their hoarding and black marketing as punitive action under the Essential Commodities Act of 1955.PM Modi has also spoke to the heads of the SAARC countries through video conferencing stressing the need for collective effort to deal with Coronavirus. Most of the countries of the grouping have hailed his advisory. (Image courtesy : FOX NEWS)