A Washington state lawmaker has tested positive for the coronavirus after taking refuge with several maskless lawmakers when a pro-Trump mob besieged the Capitol last week.
Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal announced in a statement Monday night her diagnosis of COVID and slammed Republican lawmakers for refusing to wear masks in a secure room during the hours-long lockdown.
“Too many Republicans have refused to take this pandemic and virus seriously, thereby endangering everyone around them,” Jayapal wrote.
“Just hours after President Trump incited a deadly assault on our Capitol, our country and our democracy, many Republicans still refused to take the minimum COVID-19 precautionary measure and simply put on a damn mask during a pandemic.” to carry a pressure chamber – superspreader event on top of a domestic terror attack. ”
Jayapal is the second known legislator to test positive following the riots in Capitol.
Earlier Monday, Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey, announced her positive diagnosis.
Coleman also took refuge among maskless lawmakers, though it was not immediately clear if she and Jayapal were in the same room.
Brian Monahan, head of the congressional office of the attending physician, warned lawmakers Sunday that they may be exposed to the virus while seeking refuge.
Jayapal has been quarantined since the Capitol attack, saying she intends to work in isolation.