A second GOP senator has now tested positive for COVID-19. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina participated in his third debate on Thursday night with Democratic challenger Cal Cunnigham, who is leading in recent polls.
Tillis issued a statement Friday night that read in part:
“Over the last few months, I’ve been routinely tested for COVID-19, including testing negative last Saturday, but tonight my rapid antigen test came back positive. I will be following the recommendations of my doctor and will be self-isolating at home for 10 days and notifying those I’ve been in close contact with. Thankfully, I have no symptoms and I feel well.”
Earlier Friday, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah announced that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
A maskless Lee was caught on camera hugging and backslapping Republican notables at last Saturday’s White House event when President Trump introduced Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. Tillis also attended the event.
Both Lee and Tillis are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee which will be taking up Barrett’s nomination.
There was no social distancing and very little mask use among attendees at the event as can be seen in this video:
Another attendee, Notre Dame University President Father John Jenkins, also tested positive for COVID-19.
It seems that Trump not only doesn’t care about his supporters who attend his super-spreader campaign rallies, but also doesn’t care about the well-being of Republican notables.
This clip from Tuesday night’s presidential debate should be played repeatedly before Nov. 3. It was the segment when Trump was asked why he continues to hold large campaign rallies against the advice of his own health experts.
Trump claimed that his rallies have had no negative effect on Americans, explaining “so far, we have had no problem whatsoever.” He then mocked the way Biden wore masks.
Events have only proved how prescient Biden was when he slammed Trump for the way he has responded to the coronavirus pandemic.
“He has been totally irresponsible in the way he has handled the social distancing, the people wearing masks – basically encouraging them not to,” Biden said. "He's a fool on this."
“He’s not worried about the people,” Biden added.