President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on Friday to offset lagging coronavirus testing and unlock billions of dollars - accelerating a response plan that has faced weeks of criticism.
Trump touted partnerships with private companies that he claimed would allow patients to learn if they need to be tested and locate a testing site, some of which will be drive-thru facilities at big box retailers across the country.
"To unleash the full power of the federal government under this effort today, I'm officially declaring a national emergency," he said at an announcement in the Rose Garden. "Two very big words."
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