Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) announced on Thursday that he tested positive for COVID-19, following the deadly insurrection at the Capitol last week that forced lawmakers to take shelter with several mask-less Republicans.
Espaillat is the fourth Democratic lawmaker to announce their COVID-19 diagnosis in the past week. Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Brad Schneider also announced their diagnoses this week.
In a series of tweets on Thursday, Espaillat said that he is quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19 and will continue working remotely until he gets clearance from his doctor.
I am following guidance from my physician and quarantining at home after having tested positive for COVID-19.
— Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) January 14, 2021
I will continue my duties representing New York’s 13th congressional district remotely until I have received clearance from my doctor. I encourage all residents to follow public health guidelines for the safety of our #NY13 community.
— Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) January 14, 2021
On Tuesday, acting Sergeant at Arms Timothy P. Blodgett announced that House members would have to walk through metal detectors and wear masks before they enter the House chamber for the vote to impeach President Trump for “incitement of insurrection.”
Blodgett’s announcement was issued two days after Attending Physician of Congress Dr. Brian Monahan warned House members and staff of potential exposure to COVID-19 as a result of being in close proximity to other lawmakers in a secure location amid the mob of Trump supporters breaching the Capitol last week.
At least four Republicans refused to wear masks at that time, as shown in a video published by Punchbowl News: Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Scott Perry (R-PA), Michael Cloud (R-TX), and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).
