As COVID-19 Cases Surge... Trump Sends SOS with Korean-Style Drive-Thru Testing

On the 12th, when the KOSPI plunged intraday to the 1813 level, an employee in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, was watching the live broadcast of U.S. President Donald Trump's press conference on COVID-19. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). President Trump, who had previously shown a lukewarm reaction to South Korea's drive-thru testing centers, announced their sudden introduction. This came just one week after he publicly stated that the drive-thru method was not effective.

On the afternoon of the 13th (local time), President Trump held a press conference at the White House Rose Garden and announced that he would enable state governments and others to access $50 billion in funding.

This emergency declaration is based on the Stafford Act passed in 1988, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to utilize over $40 billion in disaster funds to support states with necessary funding for testing and medical facilities.

While emergencies have been declared due to health threats several times before, this is the first time since former President Bill Clinton's response to the West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes in New Jersey and New York in 2000, that an emergency has been declared due to a disease.

Until now, President Trump had downplayed the risk to the U.S. during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, suggesting it was not a major issue. However, as infections increased in the U.S. and concerns about widespread transmission grew, he appears to have decided to declare a national emergency.

President Trump stated that he would grant emergency powers to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive federal regulations and laws, allowing doctors and hospitals greater flexibility in treating patients. He said, "Hospitals can do whatever they want," and urged "all states to immediately establish effective emergency operations centers."

He also announced the drive-thru testing plan. President Trump said, "We have been discussing with pharmacies and retailers to conduct drive-thru tests at key locations designated by health authorities," adding, "The goal is to allow people to drive up and get tested without leaving their cars."

He continued, "We appreciate Google's support in developing the website. It will be completed very quickly," and said, "The website will allow people to find out if they can get tested conveniently nearby."

According to explanations from Vice President Mike Pence and Debbie Birx, White House COVID-19 Task Force coordinator, the U.S. drive-thru testing sites will be set up in parking lots of large retailers like Walmart and Target, as well as the pharmacy chain CVS.

Before visiting a drive-thru testing site, individuals will first visit a website developed by Google to complete a questionnaire about COVID-19 symptoms. Those who need testing will then be directed to the nearest testing site.

Testing appointments can also be scheduled through the website, and the U.S. plans to analyze test results within 24 to 36 hours after testing.

Vice President Pence said that by the evening of the 15th, it would be known when the website will become operational.

Earlier, on the 6th, when President Trump visited the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and was asked about South Korea's drive-thru testing, he responded, "Korea has many patients, and the U.S. does not," adding, "We can do it now, but it is not as effective as what we are doing. We do everything in one place," expressing a critical stance.

However, as confirmed cases surged in the U.S., nearing 2,000, and criticism grew over the slow testing speed compared to countries like South Korea, he reversed his position within a week.

Meanwhile, drive-thru testing began on this day in some parts of New York State. It was first implemented in New Rochelle, a designated containment area due to concentrated infections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.