"I have decided to self-quarantine at my home for the remainder of the 14-day period out of an abundance of caution," Collins said, as he became the third GOP lawmaker to stay at home because of his social interactions at CPAC.
Doing the same was Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who drew criticism when he wore a gas mask last week as the House was preparing to vote on extra money to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak.
"Under doctor's usual precautionary recommendations, he'll remain self-quarantined until the 14-day period expires this week," Gaetz's office said in a statement, as he will close his office on Capitol Hill.
This afternoon, I was notified by CPAC that they discovered a photo of myself and the patient who has tested positive for #COVID19.
— Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) March 9, 2020
While I am not experiencing any symptoms, I have decided to self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution.
Full statement → pic.twitter.com/74oeaYOBYR
As for Rep. Collins, he not only shook hands with the still-unidentified individual at CPAC who is sick with the Coronavirus, but then he greeted President Trump in Atlanta and Friday, and went with him to visit the Centers for Disease Control, to get an update on the virus.
Gaetz also had contact with the President in recent days, as the White House Pool reported he was seen boarding Air Force One on Monday, as the President flew back to Washington after a fundraising event near Orlando, Florida.
"Coronavirus doesn’t care if you live in Wuhan or Seattle; what political party you belong to; or your race, gender or religion," said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA). "It can be carried by anyone, and has a higher death rate for older Americans."
Collins and Gaetz join Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) in staying away from the Congress this week after their CPAC interactions - Gosar shut down his office for the week as well, a move that was repeated on Monday by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA), after she found out someone had visited her office who now has the virus.
Rep Julia Brownley D-CA closes her Capitol Hill office after meeting with someone last week who tested positive for the Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/SlKK1UUEg0
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) March 9, 2020
Unlike the GOP lawmakers who decided to self-quarantine themselves, Brownley did not, saying in her statement that she would work remotely from her office.
"Out of an abundance of absolute caution, my DC staff and I are self-monitoring and maintaining social distancing practices," Brownly said in a statement. "Neither I, nor my staff, are experiencing any symptoms at this time.”
No lawmaker has been diagnosed with the virus.
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