President Trump’s soon-to-be chief of staff entered a self-quarantine after he may have come into contact with someone infected with coronavirus despite his testing negative for the illness.
Mark Meadows’s congressional office confirmed on Monday that the North Carolina Republican may have had contact with the person at the Conservative Political Action Conference last month, along with several other top GOP lawmakers who are also under self-quarantine because of a possible infection.
“Rep. Meadows was advised this weekend that he may have come in contact with the CPAC attendee who tested positive for COVID-19, now 12 days ago,” his office told the Hill. “Out of an abundance of caution, Meadows received testing which came back negative. While he’s experiencing zero symptoms, under doctor’s standard precautionary recommendations, until the 14 day period expires this Wednesday.”
NEWS: Incoming WH Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was advised that he “may have come in contact” w/ CPAC attendee, but tested negative for COVID-19 … is self-quarantining himself. ?? pic.twitter.com/0UPKDGOJDF
— Al Weaver (@alweaver22) March 10, 2020
Several other Republicans, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Matt Gaetz, have entered a self-quarantine because of their contact at CPAC. Some of those who may have been exposed were recently in close proximity to President Trump, including Gaetz, who found out about his possible infection on Air Force One.
Rep. Louie Gohmert, however, announced that he would not self-quarantine after presenting no symptoms for several days under the counsel of the House physician.
“[The House physician] said he would return if he were me and advised that my staff and I should just be careful to observe proper hygiene protocols,” he wrote in a statement. “I took the advice of the expert and returned to work. No one is panicking and we are observing the recommended precautions.”
Congressman Gohmert’s full statement on #COVID19: pic.twitter.com/jv9XcNfwbv
— Louie Gohmert (@replouiegohmert) March 9, 2020
Meadows was nominated last week by the president to become the new White House chief of staff. He will replace acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, whom Trump nominated to be an ambassador to Northern Ireland.
