A source close to Senator Rand Paul explains the events of the last couple weeks:
A week and a half or so ago, Sen. Paul shut down his offices because of the coronavirus, telling his staff to work from home.
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A week and a half or so ago, Sen. Paul shut down his offices because of the coronavirus, telling his staff to work from home.
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2/ On March 15, it was reported that two individuals at an event he attended in Kentucky -- Speed Art Museum's March 7 "Speed Ball" event -- tested positive for coronavirus.
3/ The source close to Paul says the senator was confident he hadn't interacted with the two so he didn't think much of it, but then he thought about the particular vulnerability of those with respiratory and lung issues.
4/ Last August, as a result of complications from the neighbor who assaulted him in 2017, Paul had surgery that removed part of his lungs; he still occasionally experiences shortness of breath. Given that, source says, even though he was asymptomatic, he decided to play it safe.
5/ He got the test six or seven days ago, this source says. He felt fine, had no symptoms, and did not think he had coronavirus.
He went about his daily life, including lunching with colleagues last week and going to the Senate gym this morning.
He went about his daily life, including lunching with colleagues last week and going to the Senate gym this morning.
6/ Afterwards he got the results of the test and learned he had tested positive.
As soon as he heard that, the source says, he left the Senate immediately.
As soon as he heard that, the source says, he left the Senate immediately.
