CULTURE

Three COVID-19 Cases Linked to Mask-Less Republicans

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Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, and Rep. Brad Schneider announced they tested positive for COVID-19 after being locked in a room with mask-less Republicans during the attempted coup on January 6.

During the coup attempt, the Vice President, members of Congress, and their aides were evacuated to an undisclosed location for their safety. However, Republican officials refused to don a mask during lock-down, inadvertently putting their fellow lawmakers at risk for contracting COVID-19.

Rep. Jayapal tweeted that Republican officials not only refused to wear a mask but mocked those that offered them masks to wear.

Congress’ attending physician, Dr. Brian Monahan, did warn that the Congressional lock-down could become a superspreader event if safety precautions were not taken by everyone.

Rep. Jayapal began her quarantine after leaving the Capitol the following morning of the coup because of the exposure to unmasked Republicans. She is continuing to quarantine after receiving her diagnosis.

Rep. Coleman tweeted that she is experiencing “cold-like symptoms.”

Rep. Schneider released a statement confirming he is the Congressional lock-downs third known case and pointed at unmasked Republicans as the reason.

Jayapal called for the members of Congress who refused to wear a mask, to be fined for putting other members in danger of contracting the virus, and for their removal from the floor of the Capitol by the Sergeant at Arms. Rep. Debbie Dingell and Rep. Anthony Brown introduced legislation to fine members of Congress who do not wear a mask. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has announced that individuals who do not wear a mask will be fined $500 for the first offense and $2,500 for the second.

While most of Congress received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including Coleman and Jayapal), to reach immunity individuals must receive both doses.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rep. Markwayne Mullin, Rep. Andy Biggs, Rep. Scott Perry, Rep. Michael Cloud, and Rep. Doug LaMalfa were all caught on video not wearing a mask. It is unknown who else refused to wear a mask during the lock-down.

These COVID-19 cases could have been avoided with proper safety precautions and we encourage you to follow the CDC guidelines during the pandemic.