GOP lawmakers in self-quarantine after coronavirus tied to conservative conference
Two Republican lawmakers are in self-quarantine after coming into contact with a person with the coronavirus at the Conservative Political Action Conference more than a week ago.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar both confirmed that they will stay home for the rest of the 14-day incubation period for the virus. Both said they were feeling well and did not have any symptoms.
“I’m not experiencing any symptoms, and I feel fine and healthy. Given that the interaction was 10 days ago, that the average incubation period is 5-6 days, that the interaction was for less than a minute, and that I have no current symptoms, the medical authorities have advised me that the odds of transmission from the other individual to me were extremely low,” Cruz said in a statement Sunday.
Cruz said public health officials told him that his brief interaction did not meet the level for self-quarantine.
“Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, and because of how frequently I interact with my constituents as a part of my job and to give everyone peace of mind, I have decided to remain at my home in Texas this week, until a full 14 days have passed since the CPAC interaction,” he said in the statement.
The American Conservative Union, which hosts the conference, said it learned Saturday of the COVID-19 case.
While Cruz’s contact with the person was brief, Gosar said, “I was with the individual for an extended period of time, and we shook hands several times.”
Worldwide there have been more than 111,000 cases of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University, and almost 3,900 people have died. There are more than 560 confirmed cases in the United States and 22 people have died, according to data compiled by the university.
Public health officials say the best ways to stop the virus from spreading are with thorough hand washing and for people to stay home when they might be sick.
Democratic lawmakers are pushing for a bill require employers to give sick leave, according to McClatchy news.
“Workers want to do the right thing for themselves, their families, and their communities — so especially in the middle of public health crises like this, staying home sick shouldn’t have to mean losing a paycheck or a job,” Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said in a statement.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 6:20 AM with the headline "GOP lawmakers in self-quarantine after coronavirus tied to conservative conference."
