After Capitol Riot, Covid Sinks Its Claws Deeper Into Washington
Two Democrats who took refuge in the same room with maskless Republicans have tested positive. Meanwhile, the District of Columbia is hit with a new surge of cases.
The Washington Post:
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Tests Positive For Coronavirus After Lockdown With Maskless Lawmakers During Capitol Siege
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a 75-year-old cancer survivor, has tested positive for the coronavirus after taking shelter in a room with other lawmakers, some of whom refused to wear masks, during last week’s violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob. “I received a positive test result for COVID-19, and am home resting at this time,” she said in a statement. “While I am experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, I remain in good spirits and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents.” (Itkowitz, 1/11)
Fox News:
Jayapal Tests Positive For COVID-19, Criticizes Some Republicans For ‘Cruelly’ Not Wearing Masks
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., took to Twitter early Tuesday to announce that she has been diagnosed with COVID-19, and excoriated several Republicans locked down with her during last week’s riot at the Capitol who did not wear masks. Jayapal posted that she was "locked down in a secured room at the Capitol where several Republicans not only cruelly refused to wear a mask but recklessly mocked colleagues and staff who offered them one." Her office issued a statement that said some members and staff were informed by Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician of the U.S. Congress, that those secured in that particular room had been exposed to "another occupant with coronavirus infection." She said they had been in the room for "multiple hours." (DeMarche, 1/12)
Roll Call:
Concern Grows Over Potential COVID-19 Superspreader Event During Capitol Riot
Concerns are mounting about the health of lawmakers and other people in the Capitol last week, after the first member to test positive for COVID-19 since Wednesday’s chaos said she believed she was exposed in a crowded hiding place with hundreds of other legislators. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., tested positive Monday while experiencing mild symptoms, and said in a statement she believes she caught the coronavirus from her fellow lawmakers while hunkering down as Capitol Police struggled for hours to contain a Trump-inspired mob attack on the Capitol. (Kopp, 1/11)
The New York Times:
Washington Grapples With High Number Of Coronavirus Cases
While Mayor Muriel E. Bowser of Washington, D.C., was grappling with the riot that tore through the Capitol last week, another crisis was slowly unfolding: a surge of coronavirus in the district. Washington averaged 290 new coronavirus cases a day in the seven-day period that ended Sunday, the most the city has seen during any week of the pandemic. The surge is part of a broader upward tide throughout the nation’s Mid-Atlantic region: Virginia, Maryland and Delaware also set weekly case records on Sunday. (1/12)
The New York Times:
Was The US Capitol Riot A Coronavirus Superspreader Event?
A grim reality has begun to dawn on Capitol Hill: The riot on Wednesday may have started a coronavirus superspreader event, fueled by the mob that roamed through the halls of Congress and unmasked Republicans who jammed into cloistered secure rooms. It could have been worse. Because of the pandemic, lawmakers were instructed to remain in their offices unless speaking during debate over the certification of votes, tourists had been temporarily barred and the number of reporters allowed in each chamber at a time had been substantially curtailed. (Cochrane, 1/11)
The Washington Post:
Bowser To Keep Indoor Dining, Museums Closed Past Inauguration Day
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) ordered indoor restaurants and museums to remain closed until two days after President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, in a mayoral fiat meant to both curb the rising coronavirus infections in the city and make Washington less hospitable to visitors considering traveling to see Biden sworn in. (Zauzmer, 1/12)
And several health care companies reevaluate their support for some Republicans —
Stat:
Health Companies, Groups Suspend Campaign Donations After Capitol Riot
Following last week’s riot here, several major health care corporations are re-evaluating their support for the 147 Republican lawmakers who voted against certifying the results of November’s presidential election. (Facher, 1/12)
