LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has sent a request to the White House asking President Donald Trump for a major disaster declaration in the state.
If granted, Whitmer said it will help provide meals to those who need them, provide rental assistance for temporary housing, therapy for residents whose mental health is affected by COVID-19 and much more.
According to Whitmer, it would also provide additional capacity in the event the state would need to set up field hospitals and facilities.
Trump has declared major disasters in several states, which orders federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts over COVID-19.
States that have already received federal disaster declarations include New York, Washington, California, Iowa, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, North Carolina and New Jersey.
While the state has a shortage of medical personal protective equipment, so far, it has secured the following supplies, in addition to 250 hospital beds:
— 13 million N95 masks
— 226,000 surgical masks
— 35,000 hospital gowns
— 4+ million gloves
— Nearly 100,000 face shields
— Thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer
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