The fallout from the deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. continues. Seattle area Rep. Pramila Jayapal has tested positive for COVID-19 after being exposed to unmasked congressional leaders in the lockdown during last Wednesday’s violence:
United States Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) received a positive COVID-19 test result tonight after being locked down in a secured room at the U.S Capitol where numerous Republican lawmakers recklessly refused to wear masks in the moments after the January 6 attack. Dr. Brian Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress, advised representatives and Congressional staff on Sunday that those in the secured room could have, “been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection.” The duration in the room was multiple hours and several Republicans not only cruelly refused to wear a mask but mocked colleagues and staff who offered them one.
“While I am isolating per the Capitol Physician’s instructions, I will continue to work to the best of my ability because the deep urgency of our many crises is paramount,” Jaypal said in an update on her situation. “I share the outrage and anger of those across America who have watched Trump fail to combat this raging pandemic and refuse to take care of Americans who are suffering, dying, and devastated.”
Jayapal, 55, has served as U.S. Representative for Washington’s 7th congressional district since 2017. She cruised to easy victory in her race for reelection in 2020.
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un-flippin-believable. how incredibly frustrating.
I hope that she and the other people who were exposed will be okay.UGH!
When my son and I were watching the television coverage of the insurrection, there was a cell phone video being aired repeatedly that had Jayapal in it … She was crouched behind a chair looking terrified.
The only good thing I can say about it is that it was a helpful teaching moment in talking to my son about our representatives.
We then got a piece of mail from her a few days later, and I asked my 11-year-old if he recognized her… And he remembered her from seeing the video clip during the insurrection.
It’s pretty sobering that this is what it’s come to… But I guess it’s always good to have an opportunity to get a 5th grader interested in The House of Representatives.
Oof.
It would be impossible to identify which one (or more) of the 6 non-mask wearing Republicans was responsible for spreading the virus, but I think all of them should be censured, for caring so little about their fellow representatives and staff members. Jerks!
“could have been exposed” in that room? I’m no anti-masker and don’t defend the Republican lawmakers’ behavior, but this seems like speculation designed to win political points, not the results of a rigorous contract-tracing exercise.
<em>I’m no anti-masker and don’t defend the Republican lawmakers’ behavior, but this seems like speculation designed to win political points, not the results of a rigorous contract-tracing exercise.</em>
Seems like you’re trying to appear to be apolitical, while further speculating to try to absolve a group of knuckle-dragging morons who refuse to accept basic medical and scientific advice.
The Capitol legislative buildings are pretty strict about masks, so her by far biggest risk of exposure was that room, that they were in for a significant amount of time with the anti-mask cretins.
If you have any knowledge of her schedule or whereabouts prior to her positive test that would show otherwise, please feel free to share!