Zika Virus

Mosquitoes Are Now Spreading the Zika Virus in Florida

While previous infections inside the United States were actually contracted abroad or through sexual contact with persons who've traveled abroad, mosquitoes are not spreading the Zika virus locally in the state of Florida.

Governor Voldemort is now asking the federal government for help, but as you know there could be a limit to what the government can do.

From the Associated Press:

The Florida infections are thought to have occurred in a small area just north of downtown Miami, in the Wynwood arts district.

The area, known for murals spray-painted across warehouses, art galleries, restaurants and boutiques, is rapidly gentrifying and has a number of construction sites where standing water can collect and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Many walking the streets recently were unaware the virus had spread and confused about how the disease is transmitted.

The federal government can provide the state with whatever resources it has available, but there may be a hard limit to what the government can do because Congress still hasn't appropriated funds to fight the virus.

Congress departed Washington two weeks ago and will not return until next month. The earliest possible date Congress could vote on a funding bill is the second week of September, but that's not going to happen. It's not as if Republican members of Congress will agree to pass a funding bill as soon as they return.

It has been over 170 days since President Obama asked Congress to pass a Zika bill. Our Republican-controlled Congress has advanced a bill that appropriates funds to fight the virus, however their bill also partially defunds Planned Parenthood and Obamacare and repeals several EPA regulations, among other things.