Source: Tom Williams / Getty
U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is the latest politician to test for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after experiencing flu-like symptoms.
According to WBUR, a spokesperson, Lina Francis, said on Wednesday that Pressley “sought professional medical treatment out of an abundance of caution.”
Pressley confirmed the news on Twitter, writing, “Thanks for the well wishes all. At home in Boston with my family getting some rest and awaiting #COVIDー19 test results. Sending our continued gratitude to all of the healthcare workers on the frontlines of this fight in Massachusetts.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Rep. Seth Moulton said that he and his wife were in self-quarantine after experiencing symptoms similar to the ones the respiratory illness causes. Interestingly enough, Moulton and his wife did not qualify for testing “because the symptoms are minor and a test would not change my treatment protocol.”
The Massachusetts Democrat said he was experiencing a fever and tightness in the chest for several days starting last Thursday. He also said he had body aches, a sore throat and fatigue. His wife’s symptoms were similar. He said the two of them will be staying in Massachusetts as to not spread whatever illness they have to others.
A couple other members of Congress have announced that they’ve tested positive for COVID-19, including Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah. Diaz-Balart said he got tested after experiencing a fever and a headache, while McAdams says he started with cold-like symptoms that eventually worsened. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was another politician who tested positive for the virus.
Moulton told NBC10 Boston’s Alison King that he was feeling healthy on Tuesday but said “we’ve got to be careful with everything we do.” Many public health professionals and government officials have been encouraging folks, especially those that feel sick, to social distance so that they won’t spread the virus, which has already killed at least 1,000 people in the United States.
The lack of testing and hospital capacity is one major reason officials have been urging people to stay home and social distance, even if they are experiencing mild symptoms. In the coming days, the House is supposed to vote on a $2 trillion coronavirus-related stimulus package that can help alleviate some of the social, health and financial pressures.
According to CNN, the bill includes things like direct payments to Americans, student loan payment suspensions, billions of dollars for hospitals, and historic unemployment benefits.
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