Alaska’s sole House lawmaker, Rep. Don Young, announced he was released from an Anchorage hospital after receiving treatment for the coronavirus.
“Over the weekend, I was admitted to Providence Hospital for treatment and monitoring,” the Republican lawmaker tweeted Monday. “The team at Providence did an outstanding job, and their commitment to patient care is to be commended. I have been discharged and continue recovering and working from home in Alaska.”
Young, 87, who is currently the longest-serving House lawmaker, took a swipe at the media for reporting about his illness. He serves as the “dean” of the House, a ceremonial role. Young was elected to a 25th term this month.
Alaska media questioned Young’s condition and the lack of information about it after Young announced last week he had contracted the coronavirus.
“Very frankly, I had not felt this sick in a very long time, and I am grateful to everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and prayers,” Young said. “Unfortunately, a lot of what you may have heard about my condition was based on speculation in the media that did not respect my privacy.”
According to the conservative website Must Read Alaska, some members of Young’s campaign staff were also infected.
Young called the media “irresponsible” and tweeted, “I do not want any Alaskans to be scared of seeking testing or treatment out of privacy concerns. COVID-19 is a serious virus, and its recent surge in our state has made this a critical moment.”
He called on his constituents to wear masks, practice social distancing, and avoid crowds “whenever possible.”
