In response to two Members of Congress, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, having tested positive for coronavirus since being exposed to reckless Republican colleagues who refused to wear masks in a secure location during Wednesday’s attack on the Capitol, Protect Our Care’s Coronavirus War Room Director Zac Petkanas released the following statement:
“While insurrectionists stormed the Capitol and tried to kill lawmakers, Republican Members of Congress simultaneously endangered lives by refusing to wear masks in the cramped secure locations shared by dozens of their colleagues seeking safety from the violent mob.
“As a direct result of this reckless disregard for human life, two Democratic members who were responsibly observing health and safety measures have already tested positive for the virus.
“This is unacceptable and calls for an immediate ethics investigation to determine fault and provide accountability for the wanton disregard these maskless members displayed towards others trapped with them.
“For months, Donald Trump and his allies have mocked mask-wearing, disregarded the science behind it, and downplayed the danger of the virus to score political points. But with the number of American deaths approaching 400,000, the time for debate on this is long over. These maskless Members of Congress know better and they must be disciplined for their reckless behavior.”