BREAKING: Senator Rand Paul is in Quarantine Following Positive Test for Chinese Coronavirus
Shane Trejo
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Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is the latest public official to have tested positive for the COVID-19 Chinese coronavirus, his campaign has announced on social media.
“Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person,” Paul’s campaign wrote in a social media post.
“He expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time. Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Paul,” they added.
Last week, it was announced that Reps. Ben McAdams (D-UT) and Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) had tested positive for the virus. Paul is the first U.S. Senator to test positive as the cases continue to skyrocket.
“On Saturday evening, Congressman Diaz-Balart developed symptoms including a fever and headache. Just a short while ago, he was notified that he has tested positive for COVID-19,” Díaz-Balart’s office said in a news release Wednesday night.
“We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times,” they added.
“Today I learned that I tested positive,” McAdams said in a Twitter post. “I am still working for Utahns and pursuing efforts to get Utahns the resources they need as I continue doing my job from home until I know it is safe to end my self-qurantine.”
Other lawmakers who have had close contact with Díaz-Balart and McAdams are now self-quarantining in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“I have just been informed that my colleague, Mario Diaz-Balart, tested positive for COVID-19,” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) said in a statement.
“Since I had an extended meeting with him late last week, out of an abundance of caution, I have decided it would be best to self-quarantine based on the guidance of the Attending Physician of the United States Congress,” he added.
Lawmakers are calling for remote voting during the crisis in order to stop the coronavirus pandemic from striking more of the nation’s elite.
“We are undermining our unified bipartisan message to the American people when we come together in the crowded House floor to vote,” wrote a bipartisan group of U.S. House Reps in a letter to congressional leaders.
“The image of over 430 members and approximately 100 staffers clustered together on the House floor during votes is inconsistent with public health guidance from public health officials,” they added.
Paul is now the highest profile lawmaker who has been afflicted with coronavirus, in news that will create even more fear and concern as America is shut down.
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