Biden vacations in Virgin Islands as Americans face problems at home
FOX NewsAPR 2 2023
Biden Declares Emergency Over Lead Contamination in US Virgin Islands Water
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The Spin
Narrative A
It's unlikely that this situation constitutes an actual emergency. Poor conduct around testing means that lead levels in water samples likely came out artificially high. The testing should have been carried out again before an emergency declaration — which frees up significant funding and resources at public expense — was made.
Narrative B
The current water crisis is beyond the capabilities of the territory's infrastructure and services, and federal help is needed in order to avert disaster and save lives. Current circumstances definitely meet the qualifications required to declare an emergency.