U.S. President Donald Trump today declared a nationalemergency over the fast-spreading coronavirus.
"It could get worse. The next eight weeks will becritical," Trump said.
Trump made the announcement at a Rose Garden newsconference as he battled to show Americans that he is aggressivelyaddressing the health crisis.
"To unleash the full power of the federal government inthis effort today, I am officially declaring a national emergency. Two very bigwords. The action I am taking will open up access to up to $50 billion – a veryimportant and a large amount for states and territories or localities in ourshared fight against this disease," he said.
"Through talent or through luck, call it whatever youwant, but through a very collective action and shared sacrifice, nationaldetermination, we will overcome the threat of the virus," Trump said.
He urged every state to set up emergency centers to helpfight the coronavirus.
Trump said the federal government was partnering with theprivate sector to accelerate production of test kits to make them more widelyavailable to Americans.