The Disaster Legal Services Program Missing in Action

I'm really feeling sorry for the people who work at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). They are the pre-eminent organization in the world that is designed to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. But then, here we are in the midst of the largest and most economically destructive pandemic of the modern era -- and they are "missing in action." Sidelined by those who want to control the narrative. It's the "BIG ONE" and they are not playing a significant public role. 

So if I could not have predicted the above, it is hard to understand who is calling the shots around the lack of a federal declaration and implementation of disaster legal services. See this article, COVID-19 Has Created A Legal Aid Crisis. FEMA's Usual Response Is Missing.

What's the rationale for not implementing legal aid that is one of the offerings that is available during other disasters? Did someone just forget? It is a topic that people have been told not to bring up? Does someone just not like lawyers and courts? Will it add unnecessary costs to the ongoing disaster? Is the legal aid not considered of much value?

Your guess is as good as mine!