No, President Trump Is Not Using Stafford Act To Shut Down America For Two Weeks
Everyone seems to know someone who works for Homeland Security or the military who has received intel that the Stafford Act is going to lock down the USA and that you must prepare for a two-week stay-at-home order.
The closest truth to this rumor is that the President has declared it to assist New York where the spread of coronavirus is rapidly increasing. The Stafford Act is when a state governor or local leader determines that damage from a “major disaster” exceeds state or local resources, according to FEMA’s website. That’s when FEMA can use its $40 billion in federal funding for emergency response, such as building medical facilities, so states can mobilize more quickly. Notice how nothing mentions shutting the entire country down. It’s important to note that the President has used the Stafford Act several times for natural disasters like the flooding in the Midwest and wildfires in California.
Screenshots of text messages are circulating in group chats and on social media warning that the U.S. will go into lockdown and that martial law will go into effect because of the Stafford Act. The National Security Council knocked down the rumors on Twitter.
Text message rumors of a national #quarantine are FAKE. There is no national lockdown. @CDCgov has and will continue to post the latest guidance on #COVID19. #coronavirus
— NSC 45 Archived (@WHNSC45) March 16, 2020
Source: ABC