Rep. David Monson, R-Osnabrock, confirmed to Forum News Service on Monday, March 15, that he had tested positive for the disease earlier in the morning “after suffering from a mild cold over the weekend.” Monson, a 28-year veteran of the Legislature and chair of the Home Destinations Education and Environment Division, electronically tuned in to the House floor session on Monday.
Senate and House leaders said they were not aware of any other positive tests on Monday. Grand Forks Senator Ray Holmberg and Jamestown Senator Terry Wanzek have recovered from the virus after announcing positive tests in December and January.
Monday was the first day that lawmakers had the option to waive the wearing of a mask or face shield on Senate and House floors, and most members took advantage of the rule change.
North Dakota Representative David Monson, R-Osnabrock. Photo via North Dakota Legislature
Only about 30 lawmakers, including all 21 Democrats and a small minority of Republicans, wore masks during the floor sessions Monday, while the rest of their colleagues opted for a bald face.
Republican leaders support the relaxation of the mask requirement because COVID-19 cases in North Dakota have dropped significantly and many lawmakers have been vaccinated against the virus.
Josh Boschee, leader of the House Minority, said the lack of mask wear was “definitely” worrying, pointing out that face coverings have shown the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota to be effective. The Fargo Democrat, who received his first dose of the vaccine last week, said he was not very worried about catching the virus in the room.
Legislative leaders have the power to reintroduce the mask rule on lawmakers if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs, but Chet Pollert, leader of the House of Representatives, R-Carrington, said there is no set number of positive tests is what will restore the policy.
If social distance is not possible, lawmakers should still wear masks or face shields in other common parts of the Capitol that fall under the legislature’s control. Mask rules only apply to committee meetings if the chairperson obliges them.
The mask rule in the Capitol was a point of contention for some lawmakers. In a very concerned confrontation, representatives Karla Rose Hanson and LaurieBeth Hager, both Democrats of Fargo, ask the now-expelled rep. Luke Simons, R-Dickinson, to put on a mask while waiting for food. Simons responded with an explicitly laden answer that dismissed leaders as inappropriate and unprofessional. The House removed Simons from his seat earlier this month over a series of allegations of sexual harassment.