UPDATE
2:22 PM PT -- Rand Paul's pals, Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitt Romney, say they're self-quarantining after hearing about Paul's coronavirus diagnosis. They say because of the close proximity to him of late, they're doing it out of precaution ... not because they have symptoms.
UPDATE
1:24 PM PT -- Rand Paul's social media team is responding to the criticism he's catching right now for working out in the Senate gym, telling his constituents and Americans at large that as soon as the guy learned he had coronavirus ... he isolated himself immediately.
UPDATE
They write, "We want to be clear, Senator Paul left the Senate IMMEDIATELY upon learning of his diagnosis. He had zero contact with anyone & went into quarantine. Insinuations such as those below that he went to the gym after learning of his results are just completely false & irresponsible!"
UPDATE
12:26 PM PT -- Shocking news from the Hill ... Sen. Rand Paul was very much so openly mingling with other Senators Sunday prior to getting his coronavirus test results and announcing them. Even scarier ... he was working out in the Senate gym like nothing was wrong.
UPDATE
The biggest shock ... how on Earth can the Senate gym still be open? Just about every major city shut down gyms a week ago, because they are breeding grounds for the virus. Congress is in the middle of passing a bill providing critical economic relief for people, and now we learn members of Congress are exposing themselves to major danger. One person picks it up, transmits it at the gym, and then Senators interact. You know the way it ends.
UPDATE
According to Politico's Jake Sherman, GOP Senate top dogs are incredibly concerned after hearing about Rand ... because a bunch of them, including Senator Mitt Romney, were eating with the guy and were in close proximity up to the point of the announcement just about. Romney says he and the other senators will be seeking advice on next steps.
UPDATE
Hopefully, Congress will realize this thing is in their own ranks and get their act together ... as they try to tell the public to do the same thing.
Rand Paul says he's tested positive for the coronavirus ... making him the first U.S. Senator to contract the disease.
The Kentucky legislator made the announcement Sunday on Twitter, writing ... "Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events." He continued, "He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person."
Sen. Paul followed up by saying he'll continue working while in isolation, adding his staff should be in the clear here too. His account explains in detail, writing ... "He expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time. Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul."
Again, Rand Paul appears to be the very first of his colleagues on the Hill to have contracted coronavirus. Funny enough, he's kinda been one of a few lawmakers fighting a new bill that would cover Americans' sick leave and essentially put money into their pockets.
He's argued that the response requires over a trillion dollars in federal spending, and insists the economy simply cannot sustain that -- even in these dire times.
Wonder how he's feeling about that now?
Originally Published -- 10:56 AM PT
