Romney and Lee Will Self-Quarantine — At Least 31 Members of Congress Have Isolated Themselves As a Precaution

Here is the working list of members of Congress and their family and staff that have tested positive for coronavirus:

• Senator Rand Paul, Kentucky

In a statement about his diagnosis, Rand Paul says in part, “given that my wife and I had traveled extensively during the weeks prior to COVID-19 social distancing practices, and that I am at a higher risk for serious complications from the virus due to having part of my lung removed seven months ago, I took a COVID-19 test when I arrived in D.C. last Monday.  I felt that it was highly unlikely that I was positive since I have had no symptoms of the illness, nor have I had contact with anyone who has either tested positive for the virus or been sick.”

Sen Paul continued to say, “For those who want to criticize me for lack of quarantine, realize that if the rules on testing had been followed to a tee, I would never have been tested and would still be walking around the halls of the Capitol. The current guidelines would not have called for me to get tested nor quarantined.  It was my extra precaution, out of concern for my damaged lung, that led me to get tested. Perhaps it is too much to ask that we simply have compassion for our fellow Americans who are sick or fearful of becoming so.”

• Representative Ben McAdams, Utah

Ben McAdams’s statement said, “On Saturday evening, after returning from Washington, D.C., I developed mild cold-like symptoms. In consultation with my doctor on Sunday, I immediately isolated myself in my home.  I have been conducting all meetings by telephone.  My symptoms got worse and I developed a fever, a dry cough and labored breathing and I remained self-quarantined. On Tuesday, my doctor instructed me to get tested for COVID-19 and following his referral, I went to the local testing clinic for the test. Today I learned that I tested positive.  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-quarantine. I’m doing my part as all Americans are doing to contain the spread of the virus and mitigate the coronavirus outbreak. I urge Utahns to take this seriously and follow the health recommendations we’re getting from the CDC and other health experts so that we can recover from this public health threat.”

• Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, Florida

He started feeling symptoms that might be associated with the coronavirus and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to self-quarantine at his apartment in DC. His wife has a pre-existing condition that puts her at high risk if she becomes infected with the coronavirus. His statement in part reads, “I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better.  However, it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick and mitigate the spread of this virus.  We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times.”

• Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Husband

Her statement for Medium reads in part, “I have news that many Americans are facing right now: my husband John has the coronavirus. We just got the test results at 7 a.m. this morning. While I cannot see him and he is, of course cut off from all visitors, our daughter Abigail and I are constantly calling and texting and emailing. We love him very much and pray for his recovery. He is exhausted and sick but a very strong and resilient person.”

Klobuchar continues to say that she and her husband have been apart for two-weeks and thus has been advised by doctors that it is not necessary to get the testing done.

• Staffers for Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Washington, and Rep. David Schweikert, Arizona

According to Politico: “one staffer working for Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and another working for Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) in their D.C. offices have been infected.”

The Vice President announced during his press conference over the weekend that a staffer had tested positive for coronavirus. Both Mike Pence and his wife have tested negative for the coronavirus.

This is the list of government officials currently in self-quarantine due to being exposed to coronavirus from a person that tested positive after their interaction.

• Senator Rick Scott, Florida
• Senator Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
• Senator Ted Cruz, Texas
• Senator Cory Gardner, Colorado
• Senator Mitt Romney Utah
• Senator Mike Lee, Utah
• Representative Mark Meadows, North Carolina
• Representative Matt Gaetz, Florida
• Representative Doug Collins, Georgia
• Representative Paul Gosar, Arizona
• Representative Julia Brownley, California
• Representative Don Beyer, Virginia
• Representative John Yarmuth, Kentucky
• Representative Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico
• Representative Gwen Moore, Wisconsin
• Representative Jason Crow, Colorado
• Representative Matt Cartwright, Pennsylvania
• Representative Drew Ferguson, Georgia
• Representative Steve Scalise, Louisiana
• Representative Ann Wagner, Missouri
• Representative Stephanie Murphy, Florida
• Representative Kathleen Rice, New York
• Representative Kendra Horn, Oklahoma
• Representative Anthony Brindisi, New York
• Representative Joe Cunningham, South Carolina
• Representative Tom Cole, Oklahoma
• Representative David Schweikert, Arizona
• Representative David Price, North Carolina
• Representative Adam Schiff, California
• Representative Sharice Davids, Kansas
• Representative Andy Kim, New Jersey
• Representative Vincente Gonzalez, Texas

Whether they are Democrats or Republicans, we wish them and their families well at a scary and uncertain time.