Several US states declare a state of emergency due to coronavirus: what does it mean

California has become the latest state to declare a state of emergency over the coronavirus, a move that comes as cases surge in Los Angeles County, including one confirmed death. Writes about this Yahoo!

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At a press conference, State Governor Gavin Newsome said it would help the state "continue to prepare the population and health system for the situation of the wider spread of coronavirus."

Newsom's decision followed similar decisions in Florida and Texas, as well as in Washington, where 13 of the 14 deaths from coronavirus in the United States occurred. According to recent data, a viral outbreak currently includes over 100 cases worldwide and over 000 in the United States.

As the virus spreads, there are fears that other parts of the country may soon be in a state of emergency. But what exactly does the state of emergency mean, how effective is such a measure to stop the epidemic?

States have their own rules.

Unlike the federal state of emergency that US President Donald Trump has the right to declare, the protocol on local state of emergency is not always identical. For example, a state can start reallocating resources to stop a crisis, create an emergency task force, or initiate any number of plans designed for an emergency.

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Rachel Piltch-Loeb, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University and a research fellow at New York University's School of Global Public Health, says declaring a state of emergency is largely a good move.

“Declaring a public health emergency can give a state's health sector flexibility regarding response parameters,” she says. “States differ in their laws, and state law determines how such a declaration can be made, typically through an executive order or proclamation by the governor.”

A state of emergency allows officials to circumvent laws

It can often take months (or more) for officials to access funding or do something like impose a quarantine, but a state of emergency gives them a lot of power - as long as the actions taken are aimed at protecting citizens.

“Declaring a public health emergency can allow responses to changes in the procurement of supplies, staffing, or costs of necessary measures,” Piltch-Loeb says. — For example, when a public health emergency is declared, states can waive licensing laws to temporarily allow health care workers from other states to work in the affected state, improve the efficiency of procurement of medical supplies across borders, and expand the capabilities of health care workers, such as distributing vaccines more quickly "

State of emergency may allow authorities to make 'creative' decisions

Piltch-Loeb says one of the most rewarding parts of this move is the ability to implement new strategies.

“After declaring a public health emergency, states may implement recommendations to avoid close contact (social distancing) or other public health measures on an expanded basis,” Piltch-Loeb says. “In addition to emergency declarations, counties can also declare public health emergencies, which allows them to request resources from the state in the form of personnel and supplies.”

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The state of emergency declared in Kings County, Washington, allowed officials to pay for quarantined patients at the motel. In San Diego County, California, this move allowed officials to file reimbursement for testing costs, which could cost thousands of dollars.

State of emergency does not cancel state of emergency

24 states have public health emergency laws, which means they have their own virus outbreak control strategy.

“Not all states have specific public health emergency laws ... making it unclear what such a situation might mean,” Piltch-Loeb noted.

Although it may seem strange that states are adopting their own plans, Piltch-Loeb says declaring an emergency at the federal level will be an additional measure.

“A federal emergency does not invalidate a state emergency,” Piltch-Loeb says. “A federal emergency expands the financial resources and manpower available nationally and has the potential to create a more coordinated response.”

Regardless of whether your state has declared an emergency, experts recommend that you follow good hygiene rules: wash your hands often and not touch your face with your hands.

Read the latest news and everything you need to know about the outbreak of a new coronavirus from China. ForumDaily special project “Chinese Coronavirus”.

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