Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.) and Brad Schneider (Ill.) have tested positive for the coronavirus with the belief that they were infected during last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol.
A statement from Jayapal’s office said she acquired the coronavirus after being in a room with many of her Republican colleagues who weren’t wearing masks and refused to practice social distancing, measures known to thwart the disease.
The lawmakers had to hunker down in tight quarters Wednesday as supporters of President Trump violently raided the building in protest of his loss in the November election. The incident resulted in at least five deaths and dozens of arrests and injuries.
Jayapal said Republican colleagues mocked House members and staffers who offered masks and advised them on social distancing.
CNN reported Coleman said she, like Jayapal, was exposed to the coronavirus during “protective isolation in the U.S. Capitol building as a result of the insurrectionist riots.”
“As reported by multiple news outlets, a number of members within the space ignored instruction to wear masks,” a statement from Coleman’s office said.
The three afflicted House members are quarantining.
Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Anthony Brown (D-Md.) have introduced legislation Tuesday requiring members to practice anti-coronavirus measures or be subjected to fines of $1,000.
“We’re done playing games,” Dingell said in a statement, CNN reported. “Either have some common sense and wear a damn mask or pay a fine. It’s not that complicated.”
