Romney Says Senators Will Seek Advice on Whether to Self-Quarantine

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) speaks to reporters near the Senate Subway on Capitol Hill on Jan. 24, 2019. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said that senators and others who interacted with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who tested positive for COVID-19, will determine whether they should self-quarantine after speaking to health care providers.

Romney, 73, told reporters on March 22 that every senator will “seek medical advice as to what action we should take, to make sure in any way that we don’t spread this virus ourselves.”

“We have to determine whether any of us should self-quarantine,” Romney said, adding that he and others had lunch with Paul on March 20. Several other members of Congress in recent days have self-quarantined after interacting with people who tested positive for the CCP virus, while Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah) and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) have both tested positive.

The Epoch Times refers to the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, as the CCP virus because the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup and mismanagement allowed the virus to spread throughout China and create a global pandemic.

Paul’s office on March 22 announced that the 57-year-old senator tested positive for the virus but isn’t showing any symptoms.

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) talks with SiriusXM's Olivier Knox and Julie Mason during a Town Hall event in New York City on Oct. 11, 2019. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

“He is feeling fine and is in quarantine,” his verified Twitter account said. “He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person.”

Paul didn’t have contact with any staffers.

“He expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time. Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul,” his office stated.

According to the Washington Examiner, Paul spoke on the Senate floor on March 18 and attended a lunch with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and other GOP senators on March 17. He also had lunch with other GOP senators on March 20, a photo shows.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), 59, also said senators are seeking medical advice now.

“We'll consult with the attending physician here at the Capitol about appropriate measures for those of us who have been in contact with the senator, but this is the kind of situation that Americans across the country are dealing with right now and it underscores the importance of acting immediately to deliver more relief for the American people,” Thune said.

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) reportedly said that Paul was at the gym on the morning of March 22 before his results came back. However, Moran’s office hasn’t yet confirmed the report.