Washington state, Seattle-area leaders react to Trump's coronavirus emergency declaration

Mar. 13--Moments after President Trump declared a national emergency to help combat the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Jay Inslee said Washington residents grappling with the pandemic should benefit from the federal action. But, with the White House giving few details Friday, it's unclear at this point exactly what for of federal help may be on the way, and, how much.

Inslee spoke to Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday and asked him to press Trump on the matter, the governor said at a news conference in Olympia after the president's announcement.

"I asked (Pence) to urge the president to make such a declaration, and it is hopeful to the state of Washington, because it will make some Medicare and Medicaid benefits eligible where they would not be eligible," said Inslee, who on Friday expanded his own emergency declaration by ordering the closing of all K-12 schools and halting in-person instruction at colleges and universities. "It helps with public message, as well, to let all Americans know how serious the challenge is."

The virus has swept the nation, and the world, with highest concentration of deaths in the U.S. here in Washington. As of Friday the state announced there have been 568 cases and a total of 37 deaths, with the bulk of the cases in King County. Hundreds of businesses have closed in the state since the outbreak, some temporarily, and employers have urged their workers to work from home.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell also expressed support for the national emergency declaration, while U.S. Sen. Patty Murray demanded transparency from a Trump administration that she said has been slow to respond to the crisis. Murray and others in Congress called earlier this week for an emergency declaration.

"I'm working to make sure we not only hold the Trump administration accountable for the delays and missed opportunities so far, but that we also do everything in our power to immediately take the steps we need to do to start to finally get ahead of this crisis," Murray said in remarks before the president's announcement.

At a White House news conference, Trump said his move would open up as much as $50 billion in funding to help state and local governments respond to the coronavirus outbreak, including increased testing.

While the precise impact in the state won't be known until more details become available, Casey Katims, federal liaison for Inslee's office, said the federal disaster relief dollars could help pay for epidemiology work, analysis and equipment.

Seema Verma, administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said the declaration would allow her agency to combat the virus by waiving certain regulations.

Washington health care officials have been hoping Trump would declare an emergency in the state, saying that could pave the way for more people to be enrolled in Medicaid quickly. The officials want to use Medicaid to relieve pressure on hospitals by moving more seniors from hospitals into nursing homes, they've said.

Inslee said the federal declaration could provide states with "direct assistance to meet our residents' needs for health care, shelter, food and cash assistance, and more."

Though he hailed the national emergency action, Inslee stressed steps that Washington residents can take on their own to slow the spread of the virus. For example, he said, workers should place chairs between each other during meetings in order to maintain distance.

"That strategy could be as important as any presidential declaration," he said.

Cantwell welcomed the national emergency declaration in a statement.

"Those of us from states where COVID-19 is hitting early know that more resources, tools and flexibility are critically needed right now," Cantwell said, referring to the illness causes by the virus.

"This declaration will free up more than $50 billion in federal resources for states and local communities fighting the COVID-19 outbreak on the front lines. It will allow Washington hospitals more flexibility to care for COVID-19 patients and expand critical testing to meet the medical needs as a result of the pandemic."

Cantwell said she supports a proposal by Democrats in Congress to provide free COVID-19 testing, paid sick leave for people affected by the illness, emergency unemployment insurance for people unable to work due to the outbreak and food-security measures for vulnerable people.

Murray backed the same steps in her remarks Friday. She also conveyed everyday guidance from public health experts and shared frustration with the Trump administration's "missteps and slow response to this crisis so far."

"People need the facts. They need a plan. They need transparency. And they need it now," she said.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has repeatedly called on Trump to declare a national emergency, saying the step would unlock desperately needed relief for the state's largest city. Durkan didn't immediately comment Friday, nor did King County Executive Dow Constantine.

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