FEMA is preparing for a possible coronavirus emergency. Here’s what that means

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has begun planning for the possibility that President Donald Trump will declare an emergency that will add extra funds and staffing to the coronavirus response efforts, NBC News reports.

• Specifically, FEMA is preparing for an “infectious disease emergency declaration.”

What would an emergency declaration do?

• Per NBC News, an emergency declaration would allow FEMA “to provide disaster relief funding to state and local governments, as well as federal assistance to support the coronavirus response.”
• The Trump administration would need to use the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988, which is “a federal law designed to allow the government to provide orderly systematic assistance to local governments in the aftermath of natural disasters. The act differs from disaster relief funds generally provided following major earthquakes or hurricanes,” according to Law & Crime.
• FEMA could then offer medical assistance, mobile hospitals, military vehicles and more federal support to areas impacted by the outbreak.

What they’re saying:

• Tim Manning, who was a FEMA deputy administrator under President Barack Obama, told NBC News: “I actually find this reassuring. I hope this discussion has been happening continuously over the last couple of months.”

Will FEMA declare an emergency?

• FEMA told The Hill it won’t declare an emergency yet. Instead, it will support the Department of Health and Human Services, which previously declared a “public health emergency.”