New York’s congressional delegation has several members that could fall under the federal government’s prescribed 14-day self-quarantine period, along with others that have visited the nation’s largest city.
“You may have been exposed before you left New York,” Deborah Birx, the State Department doctor advising Vice President Mike Pence on the coronavirus task force, said at a White House press briefing Tuesday. “Everybody who was in New York should be self-quarantining for the next 14 days to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread to others.”
New York City is the newest hot zone for the spread of the coronavirus infection. According to officials at the White House briefing, about 60% of the new cases in the country surfaced in New York and the infection rate was eight to 10 times higher than other parts of the nation.
All 13 of New York’s congressional seats are held by Democrats.
The issue arises as both chambers in Congress consider a $2 trillion coronavirus economic recovery package, which is being debated amid conflict as to whether the House can pass the bill by unanimous consent or not.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, whose district covers Queens and the Bronx, has threatened to return to Washington during the House vote of the stimulus package and force a roll-call vote. If the vote happens this week and if she has been in the New York metropolitan area, she could be breaking quarantine.
Additionally, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, whose residence is in New York City, was in the capital this past week and last. The Washington Examiner sent requests for comment to both the lawmakers.
“I think it’s complicated. I think we have to figure out something so that the business of the nation gets done, but we have to also protect people. And so, you know, I think that they’re going to have to figure that out,” New York Democratic National Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs told the Washington Examiner. “And I don’t have any particular recommendation on it. Other than I think that, you know, this is a very complicated time.”
Other members of Congress in both chambers have already self-quarantined themselves and some, such as Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, Rep. Ben McAdams, a Utah Democrat, and Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, have already contracted the virus.
“Almost every member is speaking to their doctor and others for advice. There’s a number of members who are in quarantine. If a member thinks they are sick, they should self-quarantine if they’ve been around somebody from that perspective. We have members that are actually sick … We have members in New York City. If you are in New York City, you have to quarantine yourself 14 days,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told the Washington Examiner.
