Two Democratic congresswomen have tested positive COVID-19 after sheltering with fellow lawmakers during the attack on the US Capitol last week. Representative Pramila Jayapal, of the Seattle area, and Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, 75, of New Jersey, both pointed out the actions of their Republican colleagues during the lockdown.
Jayapal said in angry tweets early Tuesday that she “had just received a positive COVID-19 test result after being locked in a secure room in the Capitol, where several Republicans not only cruelly refused to wear a mask, but also recklessly mocked colleagues. and staff they offered one. “
She said, “ Just hours after Trump launched a deadly attack on our Capitol, many Republicans still refused to take the absolutely minimal COVID-19 precaution and just wear a damn mask in a crowded room during a pandemic – causing a superspreader event ON TOP of a domestic terrorist attack. “
Jayapal claimed that: “Any member who refuses to wear a mask should be held fully responsible for endangering our lives because of their selfish idiocy. I call for any member who refuses to wear a mask in the Capitol to be fined and removed. off the floor by the Sergeant at Arms. ‘
And she called for President Trump to be removed from office, saying she “shares the outrage and anger of those across America who have watched Trump fail to fight this raging pandemic and refuse to care for Americans who are suffering, dying and devastated. . “
Jayapal said she is still working while isolating herself as instructed by the Capitol doctor.
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Coleman said she believes she’s been exposed for a while shelter in place alongside her colleagues, including some who refused to wear masks.
“I have received a positive test result for COVID-19 and am currently resting at home. Although I am experiencing mild cold-like symptoms, I remain cheerful and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents,” the Democrat said in a statement Monday. .
Coleman, a breast cancer survivor, later said she was on her way to a local hospital receive a treatment with monoclonal antibodies. “Thank you for the abundance of supportive messages. The love you have sent is overwhelming,” tweeted Coleman. “Please wear a mask and social distance.”
Members were forced to evacuate after a mob of violent pro-Trump supporters violated the US Capitol on Wednesday, a joint session of Congress halted to count electoral votes and force lawmakers to go into hiding until the building was safe.
In her statement Monday, Coleman said she was one of several members of Congress who received advanced doses of the Pfizer-Biotech COVID-19 vaccine, but said she decided to be tested for COVID-19 after sheltering at the maskless legislators.
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Doctors and lawmakers have raised the alarm about the potential spread of coronavirus at the secure holding site.
Representative Susan Wild, a Democrat from Pennsylvania who spoke on CBSN last week, said lawmakers evacuated from the Capitol were taken to a safe location with 300-400 people. She also said some lawmakers refused to wear masks.
“It’s just the kind of situation that the doctors have told us we shouldn’t be in, you know, close together, especially with people who don’t wear masks,” Wild said. “We weren’t even allowed to get together with our families for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and now we’re in a room with people showing off the rules and very busy here.”