Overnight, a second lawmaker said she tested positive for Covid-19 after being in place with lawmakers who refused to wear masks during the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol last week.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat in Washington, said in a statement early Tuesday that she had been quarantined since the attack and had heard of her positive test result Monday night.
“Too many Republicans have refused to take this pandemic and virus seriously, thereby endangering everyone around them,” she said in a statement. “Just hours after President Trump launched a deadly attack on our Capitol, our country, and our democracy, many Republicans still refused to take the minimum COVID-19 precaution and simply put on a damn mask in a crowded room during ‘ carrying a pandemic – which creates a superspreader event over and above a domestic terror attack. “
Jayapal said he works from home.
“I will continue to work to the best of my ability because the deep urgency of our many crises is of the utmost importance,” she said in her statement. “I share the outrage and anger of my constituents and those across the country who have seen Donald Trump not fight this raging pandemic and refuse to look to Americans who are suffering, dying and shattering. Now we have also watched as these insurgents who attacked the Capitol and our democracy on January 6 are openly incited and incited – so I will not rest until I do everything in my power to remove this president from office. ‘
Earlier Monday, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, DN.J., said she received a positive fast Covid-19 test.
‘I got a positive test result for COVID-19 and am currently resting at home. “While experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, I remain in a good mood and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents,” Watson Coleman said in a statement.
The congresswoman isolates and waits for the result of a PCR test, which is known to be more accurate than rapid tests.
The news of the legislators’ tests comes a day after the Capitol doctor warned members and congressional staff that they could have been exposed to someone infected with the virus while hiding in place. A video circulated last week showing a House Democrat in a safe room offering face masks to a group of Republicans who saw them turn it down.
In July, House President Nancy Pelosi announced a mask mandate for all members and staff members on the house floor.
Jayapal said lawmakers who refuse to wear masks in the Capitol should be fined.
“In addition, any member who refuses to wear a mask should be immediately removed from the floor by the sergeant in Arms,” she said. “It’s not a joke. Our lives and our livelihoods are in danger, and anyone who refuses to wear a mask must be held fully responsible for endangering our lives because of their selfish idiocy. ”
