President Trump approves South Carolina’s disaster declaration. What does that mean?
President Donald Trump approved South Carolina’s disaster declaration on Friday, allowing local and state governments to receive federal aid in response to the growing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the White House announced.
A disaster declaration is requested by a jurisdiction’s top public official when a situation exceeds the capability or resources available to that jurisdiction’s government. Once approved by the president, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can provide assistance to the area.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster had already declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus crisis two weeks ago — a move that grants him authority to allocate resources faster than usual and take certain measures.
According to a White House statement, Friday’s disaster declaration will allow both state and local governments across South Carolina, as well as select private nonprofits, to receive federal assistance, dating back to Jan. 20 and until further notice.
Disaster declarations related to COVID-19 have already been recognized across dozens of states, including Texas, Maryland, Colorado, Michigan and New York.
In addition to the FEMA aid, South Carolina’s state and local governments are in line to receive billions of dollars after Congress passed and the president signed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill. U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott spoke in South Carolina on Friday touting the bill’s benefits for governments and small businesses.
McMaster also announced Friday that he was signing an executive order mandating that anyone coming into South Carolina from New York and other areas hit particularly hard by the pandemic self-quarantine for 14 days to slow the spread of the virus. There will be criminal penalties attached to the order, he said.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
