an asymptomatic senator was able to obtain a Corona virus test — and took it, was tested positive
Paul delayed a vote for several days by forcing an amendment on the Corona virus response, and then voted against the final bill. That bill includes a provision making testing free.
So he got a test that he voted against everyone else being able to get.
So he got a test that he voted against everyone else being able to get.
Paul's office says he is not aware of contact with anyone infected.
This is why there's so much focus on widespread testing--of the sort that the administration promised two weeks ago was coming. The lack of it is why the president has urged asymptomatic people not to get tests
This is why there's so much focus on widespread testing--of the sort that the administration promised two weeks ago was coming. The lack of it is why the president has urged asymptomatic people not to get tests
Paul's father, former Congressman Ron Paul -- who is his own political presence, and not part of his staff -- published this on March 16:
"People should ask themselves whether this coronavirus 'pandemic' could be a big hoax"
ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featu…
"People should ask themselves whether this coronavirus 'pandemic' could be a big hoax"
ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featu…
rationale offered by Paul's staff is that he got the test b/c of his "extensive travel &events."
Most of his travel is between Kentucky and DC. If this is the bar for jumping to the front of the line on testing, then many more qualify for fast testing than the govt has said.
Most of his travel is between Kentucky and DC. If this is the bar for jumping to the front of the line on testing, then many more qualify for fast testing than the govt has said.
Paul has been in the Senate over the last 2 weeks, so he unknowingly exposed other senators, as well as aides, reporters and more. Will all those be eligible for tests immediately?
Hopefully he will not develop symptoms at all. But he has exposed a clear stratification already.
Hopefully he will not develop symptoms at all. But he has exposed a clear stratification already.
Also: as a senator, Rand Paul is of course eligible for the Senate health care plan. If that's how he obtained and paid for his jump-the-line Corona virus testing, then that means that it was... taxpayer-funded government health care which gave him an advantage others don't have
Many restaurants and gyms across the country are closed. A senator who didn’t know he was infected was eating with his colleagues and going to a still opened gym through this morning.
Not just other senators, but lots of workers potentially exposed
Not just other senators, but lots of workers potentially exposed
Ted Cruz, for example, self-quarantined nearly 2 weeks ago after suspecting that he had been exposed.
If Paul got results this morning, he would have taken the test a least a day or two ago, and suspected at least somewhat before to ask for a test. Yet stayed in contact w/many.
If Paul got results this morning, he would have taken the test a least a day or two ago, and suspected at least somewhat before to ask for a test. Yet stayed in contact w/many.
So the math here is:
-Tues: delays vote
-Weds: voted against the bill providing free Corona virus testing
-sometime before Fri: decides he might have been exposed
-likely Fri: gets a specially provided test
-Sunday: tests positive
-throughout: exposes unknown number of others
-Tues: delays vote
-Weds: voted against the bill providing free Corona virus testing
-sometime before Fri: decides he might have been exposed
-likely Fri: gets a specially provided test
-Sunday: tests positive
-throughout: exposes unknown number of others
Paul's office now says decision to get tested was b/c he attended CPAC (initial rationale was "out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events"). If Paul was infected at CPAC, he has been carrying the virus for almost a month.
Paul is a medical doctor, in overall good health & w/top care, and of course, a senator. He may have been unknowingly carrying and transmitting the virus for a month.
This could be true of many, many Americans with less expertise & resources.
This could be true of many, many Americans with less expertise & resources.
Paul, speaking on the Senate floor four days ago: "modern man has become accustomed to the idea that life is relatively safe, that a long life is to be expected. Consequently, any re-eruption of diseases beyond our control paralyzes us with fear."
Paul went on to criticize young people for not taking the Corona virus seriously. He suggested that eventually it would be worthwhile to see if the Corona virus was actually worse than the swine flu.
Here's Rand Paul on Fox News 3/2 saying there was evidence of containment, urging against shutdowns.
"I fly all the time, and I'm not cutting back my flying."
If he was indeed infected at CPAC, he had the virus while conducting this interview.
"I fly all the time, and I'm not cutting back my flying."
If he was indeed infected at CPAC, he had the virus while conducting this interview.
Rand Paul’s strategist mockingly questioning Bill de Blasio’s gym trip last week (in the middle of a Monday while on a break from dealing with Corona virus response). Paul was at the Senate gym this morning, while, turns out, positive for Corona.
This @jaketapper thread adds important details: Paul believes it was not at CPAC, but a different event in KY when he was exposed.
He got the test 6-7 days ago, which means he had an acquired test out during time he was opposing bill providing testing.
He got the test 6-7 days ago, which means he had an acquired test out during time he was opposing bill providing testing.
notable here on how Paul approached the question of being tested, and talking about it (importantly: we have no idea if this event is actually where Paul was infected--could have been anywhere he went, at any point)
