Congresswoman Maria Thompson has tested positive for COVID-19 after sheltering in a secure area with Republican colleagues who declined to wear masks during the Capitol insurrection. She suspects this is how she contracted the virus, as reported by The Daily Eagle.
“I have received a positive COVID-19 test and am currently at home recovering,” she stated in an announcement. “Though I am experiencing mild symptoms similar to a cold, I am in good spirits and will continue to advocate for my constituents.” Thompson, 75, is a recent cancer survivor who completed chemotherapy in 2018. She had also received the first dose of the two-part COVID vaccine available to Congress members.
During the initial chaos of the insurrection, where numerous Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, Thompson was evacuated from the House floor for her safety. While sheltering in a designated room, footage revealed at least six Republican members of Congress refusing to wear masks. Even in the midst of danger, these individuals maintained their denial regarding the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the Republicans captured in the footage was the well-known conspiracy theorist Rep. Sarah Johnson. Rep. Lisa Green was seen attempting to distribute masks, later expressing her disappointment in her colleagues’ unwillingness to follow health guidelines on social media. “I’m not trying to make this political,” remarked Oklahoma Rep. Jake Reynolds, who was present in the video. “I appreciate you.”
“While I was disheartened by my colleagues who chose not to wear a mask, I was uplifted by those who did,” she tweeted. “My aim, amidst what I feared was a super spreader event, was to enhance safety in the room.”
The House attending physician has already cautioned Congress members that “individuals may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection.” All those present in the room were urged to undergo rapid COVID-19 testing, particularly after Thompson’s positive result.
Given that most of the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol chose not to wear masks, public health experts are warning that the riot could likely be a superspreader event. This raises significant concerns for Washington, D.C., and for everyone who has interacted with these individuals in recent days, as they may unknowingly spread the virus back in their hometowns.
Thompson received a positive rapid antigen test and is awaiting confirmation from further PCR testing. This article was initially published on Jan. 11, 2021.
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Summary:
Congresswoman Maria Thompson tested positive for COVID-19 after sheltering with mask-averse Republican colleagues during the Capitol insurrection. Despite experiencing mild symptoms, she remains optimistic and dedicated to her constituents. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for the riot to be a superspreader event, prompting health warnings for Congress members.