While none of them are showing signs of symptoms, a growing number of Republicans who have been in close contract with President Trump are now self-quarantined after exposure at CPAC late last month to a man infected with the novel coronavirus sweeping the globe, raising concerns about the risk to the President of being infected. Trump himself has not shown any signs of symptoms.
Trump shook hands with CPAC honcho Matt Schlapp a couple days after Schlapp was unwittingly exposed to an attendee who later tested positive for the virus. Schlapp is on home quarantine and says he feels fine.
Woke up today and all the Schlapp’s are healthy. Same for entire @CPAC staff. My 80 year old Mom feels great. The State of Maryland did 2000 screenings around the Gaylord and found nothing concerning. We have no symptoms. Stay calm USA! Check your temp, if elevated call your doc
— Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) March 9, 2020
The latest is Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) who was with Trump in Florida on Monday, riding in the Beast and on Air Force One for the return flight to D.C. Gaetz’s office announced his self-quarantine via Twitter Monday afternoon.
Congressman Gaetz was informed today that he came into contact with a CPAC attendee 11 days ago who tested positive for COVID-19.
— Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) March 9, 2020
While the Congressman is not experiencing symptoms, he received testing today and expects results soon.
Under doctor's usual precautionary recommendations, he'll remain self-quarantined until the 14-day period expires this week.
— Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) March 9, 2020
Gaetz reportedly was told of his exposure during the flight on Air Force One and subsequently isolated himself on the plane.
https://twitter.com/maeganvaz/status/1237109606620499969
Moments after deplaning Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Rep. Gaetz (right, with duffel) can be seen putting up his hand and taking a step backward when approached (pool video) pic.twitter.com/Ga2saRvVH3
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) March 9, 2020
Gaetz learned after Air Force One lifted off from Orlando that he had been in touch with an infected person at CPAC. He then essentially quarantined himself, sitting in a section of the plane alone. @maggieNYT https://t.co/ezZ7izjXmn
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) March 9, 2020
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) also announced his self-quarantine Monday.
This afternoon, I was notified by CPAC that they discovered a photo of myself and the patient who has tested positive for #COVID19.
While I am not experiencing any symptoms, I have decided to self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution.
Full statement → pic.twitter.com/74oeaYOBYR
— Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) March 9, 2020
Collins accompanied Trump on his visit to CDC headquarters in Atlanta last Friday. He was photographed shaking hands with Trump that day.
Still of video of President Trump shaking hands with @RepDougCollins Friday in Atlanta per @gardenswartzj pic.twitter.com/WDRsn4QSD1
— Alex Moe (@alexmoeflo) March 9, 2020
Video from Friday shows President Trump shaking hands with Rep. Doug Collins, who just confirmed that he is self-quarantined after coming into contact with someone recently diagnosed with coronavirus https://t.co/ArWlKp4pIj pic.twitter.com/2wHIlDLOST
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 9, 2020
Other Republicans who attended CPAC and had contact with the infected attendee who are also on self-quarantine are Sen. Ted Cruz (D-TX) and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ)
Today I released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/XGXEa4ozcg
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) March 8, 2020
1. I am announcing that I, along with 3 of my senior staff, are officially under self-quarantine after sustained contact at CPAC with a person who has since been hospitalized with the Wuhan Virus. My office will be closed for the week.
— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) March 9, 2020
My statement on #COVID19: pic.twitter.com/dyuq55fnBG
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) March 9, 2020
All the self-quarantines are expected to last just a few days from now until the 14 days from the point of contact in late February passes. None are showing signs of symptoms.
The 73-year-old Trump is a notorious germophobe, is in excellent health and has incredible stamina, as Surgeon General Jerome Adams attests.
Surgeon General Jerome Adams tells Jake Tapper "President Trump sleeps less than I do and he's healthier than what I am…" pic.twitter.com/qH50we2NWB
— POTUS Press ✩ (@POTUSPress) March 9, 2020
While Trump has said he plans to continue holding campaign rallies, none have been scheduled since the last one on March 2 in Charlotte, North Carolina even though several more swing states are holding primaries in the coming days and week. Otherwise Trump has maintained his regular schedule of meetings, fundraisers and travel.
