By Bill Hoffman From Newsmax

The impact of the Wuhan [coronavirus] virus on the United States grew this week as the federal government moved swiftly to safeguard the nation from the mushrooming disease.

With the illness spreading across Asia and globally, these steps have been launched:

• STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AXED: Colleges, universities and high schools coast to coast, citing advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, are suspending their student exchange programs with China. The CDC warned, “Travel to China is considered high risk, and no precautions are available to protect against the identified increased risk.”
• NATIONAL DRUG STOCKPILE INVENTORIED: Officials are reviewing the mountainous stockpile of medical supplies the federal government keeps on hand in the event of an epidemic or bioterror attack. The Strategic National Stockpile’s supplies include antibiotics, medical supplies, equipment, antidotes, antitoxins, antivirals, vaccines and other pharmaceuticals. These are strategically located throughout the United States and its territories.
• INCREASED SCREENINGS AT AIRPORTS: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has expanded screenings of passengers for the Wuhan coronavirus to 20 airports – a dramatic increase from last week when those enhanced screenings only covered international airports in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Atlanta.
• AMERICAN BUSINESSES SHUTTERED: Many top American companies have shut operations in China or suspended business trips there. Forbes reports that McDonald’s closed its restaurants across five cities in the Hubei Province and Disney has temporarily scratched its theme parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong theme parks. Starbucks has closed more than half of its 4,100 stores in mainland China, while hotels including Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton have stopped some operations in Hubei.
• VIRUS CARE CENTERS READIED: The Defense Department is working with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the CDC, to provide housing or hospitalization individuals exposed to or ill from the virus, according to CNN.
• AIRLINE GROUNDS FLIGHTS: American Airlines has canceled flights between Los Angeles and China’s two biggest cities for the next 60 days. The affected facilities include: Los Angeles International Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport. More carriers are expected to follow suit.
• THE BIG APPLE PREPARES: New York City, which has the largest population of ethnic Chinese outside of Asia, has had its Office of Health and Mental Hygiene conduct a drill to prepare for the coronavirus’ arrival. In Manhattan’s Chinatown, N95 protective face masks were said to be selling out as people seek out protection from the invisible illness.
• CRUISE LINES SCRAP ITINARARIES: Five top cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Genting Cruise Lines and Astro Ocean Cruises — have canceled their departures from mainland China due to the fast-spreading virus. Cruise company officials say they’re in touch with the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other government health authorities for advice on how to respond to the spreading outbreak.
• U.S. STOCK MARKETS SOCKED: The markets are up slightly today but remain weak as nervous investors monitor how the virus is affecting business. Still playing out is how investors will react to the decision by WHO officials to reverse themselves on Thursday and now declare the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency.

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