COVID Fears Grow In Capitol As Three Lawmakers Test Positive

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FILE - In this July 29, 2020 file photo, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., speaks during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on antitrust on Capitol Hill in Washington. A second Democratic member of the House who was forced to go into lockdown during last week’s violent protest has tested positive for COVID-19. Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington says she has tested positive. She criticized Republican members of Congress who declined to wear a mask when it was offered to them. (Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Within a span of about 24 hours, three House Democrats have announced they tested positive for COVID-19, prompting concern that last week’s insurrection at the Capitol has also turned into a super-spreader event threatening the health of lawmakers and their staffs.

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Those who have tested positive were among the dozens of lawmakers whisked to a secure location when pro-Trump insurrectionists stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. Some members of Congress huddled for hours in the large room, while others were there for a shorter period.

While it’s not certain where and when lawmakers caught the illness, the Capitol’s attending physician notified all House lawmakers of possible virus exposure and urged them to be tested. Dr. Brian Moynihan said that members who were in protective isolation last Wednesday “may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection.”

The three Democratic lawmakers directed their anger toward some House Republicans who were also in the secure room and declined opportunities to wear a mask, despite their role in blocking the spread of COVID-19. Video surfaced of multiple Republican lawmakers refusing to wear a face mask even when they were offered one.

“Today, I am now in strict isolation, worried that I have risked my wife’s health and angry at the selfishness and arrogance of the anti-maskers who put their own contempt and disregard for decency ahead of the health and safety of their colleagues and our staff,” Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., said on Tuesday.

Schneider’s comments came a few hours after similar remarks from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash..

“Too many Republicans have refused to take this pandemic and virus seriously, and in doing so, they endanger everyone around them,” Jayapal said. “Only hours after President Trump incited a deadly assault on our Capitol, our country, and our democracy, many Republicans still refused to take the bare minimum COVID-19 precaution” and simply wear a mask in a crowded room.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey said Monday that she had tested positive for COVID-19.

All three lawmakers are isolating. Schneider said he was not feeling symptoms, while Watson Coleman said she was experience mild, cold-like symptoms. Jayapal did not elaborate on how she was feeling, but noted that she began to quarantine several days ago out of concern about conditions in the secured room.

Within hours of their announcements, Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., and Anthony Brown, D-Md., introduced legislation that would impose a $1,000 fine on any member of Congress refusing to wear a mask on Capitol grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is not brave to refuse to wear a mask, it is selfish, stupid, and shameful behavior that puts lives at risk,” Dingell said.

Jayapal also called on the House Sergeant at Arms to remove any lawmaker from the House floor who declines to wear a mask.

“This is not a joke,” she said. “Our lives and our livelihoods are at risk, and anyone who refuses to wear a mask should be fully held accountable for endangering our lives because of their selfish idiocy.”


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Rats Rats DemocRATs
Rats Rats DemocRATs
3 years ago

Let them dems get the makos like this weeks parsha. It will be justice. Maybe Biden will be out of commission with COVID next week I’m Mispalel.

Gloria Bunker Stivak
Gloria Bunker Stivak
3 years ago

Not surprising that the Trump Virus has hit Congress after those insurrectionists who despise masks invaded the Capital.

D S
D S
3 years ago

Odd that the Democrats who were wearing masks got it but not the Republicans who allegedly weren’t wearing the masks (bla”h)..hmmmm!

Democrats support Jew haters and terrorists.
Democrats support Jew haters and terrorists.
3 years ago

Nasty pelosi allowed covid positive members on the floor to vote for speaker yet these democrats blame the republicans because democrats are scum who can never take responsibility for their actions, also there are pics of jaypal in the house gallery not wearing a mask.

Franki
Franki
3 years ago

“Republican lawmakers refusing to wear a face mask”.
These are the smart guys – they wanted to remain recognizable and not be shot by Capital police.

ANON21
ANON21
3 years ago

It’s getting very interesting reading these ap fake news articles

Educated Archy
Educated Archy
3 years ago

Haha blame covid on it to why not!

Kibechabatachnu
Kibechabatachnu
3 years ago

If you spread lies and loshon hara about others,others will spread their poison to you. It’s just plain ole midah keneged midah.