Ohio lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19, was working at Statehouse this week

Republican rep.: ‘Stop making this political. Please wear a mask’

An Ohio lawmaker who tested positive Friday for COVID-19 after he worked most of the week at the Statehouse is urging people to stop making the pandemic a political issue and to wear a mask.

Rep. Rick Carfagna, a Delaware County Republican, said he awoke Thursday with a 102.7-degree fever along with body aches and a cough. He was able to get tested quickly and learned the positive results Friday for the coronavirus, he wrote in a Facebook post.

Yesterday, I awoke with a fever of 102.7 degrees, body aches, and a cough. I was able to get tested quickly and learned...

Posted by State Representative Rick Carfagna on Friday, December 4, 2020

Carfagna, who was last at the Statehouse on Wednesday, has been wearing a mask while some Republican lawmakers have not.

“Those who know me know that I have tried to practice good habits to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. I fully understand that these measures are not a foolproof inoculation against the virus, but I am praying today they have helped spare others from falling ill because of me,” he wrote.

“Stop making this political. PLEASE wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitize surfaces, keep a safe distance from others, and avoid large gatherings. As unpleasant as this illness is, had I not worn a mask and practiced responsible behavior my misery would be compounded with even more guilt wondering if I may have directly infected others.”

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