Congresswoman Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Sheltering With Lawmakers Who Denied Masks During Riot

A House Democrat is battling COVID-19 after being forced to shelter in place with “several colleagues who refused to wear masks” during the Capitol’s deadly riot last Wednesday.

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman is a 75-year-old cancer survivor, which puts her at heightened risk for experiencing complications or death from the coronavirus. On Monday, she took to Twitter to let her followers know that she’d tested positive. 

“Following the events of Wednesday, including sheltering with several colleagues who refused to wear masks, I decided to take a Covid test,” Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman tweeted. “I have tested positive.”

Following the events of Wednesday, including sheltering with several colleagues who refused to wear masks, I decided to take a Covid test.

I have tested positive.https://t.co/wivlbwrmV0

— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) January 11, 2021

 

Her office confirmed that Watson Coleman received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine when it was made available to members of Congress.

They are handing them masks and they are refusing. pic.twitter.com/6eYuVoplU5

— BallerAlert (@balleralert) January 11, 2021

In an official statement posted on her website, Watson Coleman said that she experienced mild cold-like symptoms while isolating in her home. 

Many more representatives will likely test positive in the coming weeks considering that nearly half of the 300-400 lawmakers evacuated to a secure location refused to wear masks.