Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has tested positive for COVID-19, and she's squarely blaming fellow lawmakers who refused to wear masks while they were sheltering in place during the Capitol attack.
The Congresswoman from New Jersey announced her diagnosis Monday ... linking the positive test to last week's events that forced her to take refuge with other lawmakers in the Capitol Building. She tweeted, "Following the events of Wednesday, including sheltering with several colleagues who refused to wear masks, I decided to take a Covid test."
The 75-year-old lawmaker added, "I received a positive test result for COVID-19, and am home resting at this time. While I am experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, I remain in good spirits and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents.”
The lawmaker is now isolating and awaiting the results of PCR testing. Interestingly, Coleman is among a score of lawmakers who have already received the first dose of Pfizer's COVID vaccine.
While sheltering, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester offered masks to
— jordan (@JordanUhl) January 11, 2021
Republicans Marjorie Taylor Greene, Markwayne Mullin, Andy Biggs & more and they refused.pic.twitter.com/WlbLKiyjwn https://t.co/eQzn7SieaR
Remember, members of congress had to shelter together in an undisclosed location after President Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol in the failed coup. There's video showing several Republican members refusing to wear masks being passed around by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.
The news comes one day after the attending physician of the U.S. Congress said members and their staff may have been exposed as a result of the riots.
Dr. Brian Monahan sent a memo to all members of Congress to inform them that sheltering with other members in a room for a long period of time may have exposed them to the virus.
The doc had advised members to get tested. With so many lawmakers locked in one room for hours ... it's not far fetched to think congress may soon have an outbreak on its hands.