The words “shit show” have been a common description of the Republican National Convention thus far. Highlights include D-list speakers, the lack of professional convention staff, the lower television ratings, the absence of many or most of the biggest names in Republican politics, and the spectacle of several formerly high profile conservatives ending their professional careers right there on the stage of the Quicken Loans Arena. It’s like watching a meteor (let’s call it Rudy) burning brightly as it crashes into the atmosphere, hurling toward imminent extinction.
Now there is news of a possible nasty norovirus outbreak at the convention:
As many as 11 members of the California delegation’s advance team are showing symptoms that are consistent with the norovirus, according to Peter Schade, the Erie County health commissioner, who is investigating the outbreak. They are staying at a hotel in Sandusky, Ohio, about an hour from Cleveland.
“We’ve got about 11 who have been sick over the last few days, and we’ve been out there every day and working with them to eliminate the spread [between] the resort and the delegation from California,” Schade said.
The health department is running tests to confirm whether the Republican staff members have norovirus.
According to the CDC, symptoms include diarrhea, throwing up, nausea, stomach pain, fever, headaches, and body aches. The virus can spread very quickly in enclosed spaces, like convention centers. The good news for Republicans? The arena has not been anywhere near full capacity.
If confirmed, it is safe to say this convention is becoming a literal shit show. Symptoms last one to three days, meaning most sufferers would not feel better until after the conclusion of the convention.
Actually, the same could be true for all of America.