Two Republican congressmen say they were exposed to coronavirus before having close contact with Trump.
Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia revealed he shook Trump’s hand late last week at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta after he was pictured at a conservative conference with a man who later tested positive for COVID-19.
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Another congressman, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, announced that he also was exposed at the Conservative Political Action Conference before flying with Trump aboard Air Force One on Monday, the New York Post reports.
Gaetz broke the news about his exposure on Twitter about an hour after he and Trump’s plane landed in Maryland. “Congressman Gaetz was informed today that he came into contact with a CPAC attendee 11 days ago who tested positive for COVID-19,” Gaetz’s official account tweeted. “Congressman Gaetz had expected COVID-19 to impact Congress, given the elevated frequency of travel and human contact, and demonstrated his concern last week on the House Floor.”
Although Gaetz is reportedly not experiencing any symptoms, his office said he has received testing and expects results soon. Gaetz will also, as a precaution, self-quarantine for a 14-day period.
Collins also said he was not experiencing symptoms but he also plans to self-quarantine following that conference.
A spokesman for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s contact with people exposed to the virus.
Press secretary Stephanie Grisham, however, tweeted Monday afternoon to deny a report that Trump feared journalists aboard Air Force One infecting him with the virus.
We’ll keep you posted on any updates in this story.
