Rand Paul defends his decision not to self-quarantine after he was tested for COVID-19
U.S. Senator Rand Paul pushed back Monday after receiving criticism for continuing to go about his business while he awaited results of a test for the coronavirus.
Paul, who said he does not have any symptoms of the disease, asked for a test because he is at higher risk for complications after having part of his lung removed seven months ago and because he travels extensively for his job as a U.S. Senator. He was tested last Monday in Washington D.C.
“The nature of COVID-19 put me – and us all – in a Catch-22 situation,” Paul said in a written statement. “I didn’t fit the criteria for testing or quarantine. I had no symptoms and no specific encounter with a COVID-19 positive person. I had, however, traveled extensively in the U.S. and was required to continue doing so to vote in the Senate. That, together with the fact that I have a compromised lung, led me to seek testing.”
Much of the criticism towards Paul came from the fact that he attended a fundraiser at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville on March 7, which was also attended by at least two people who have later tested positive. Other government officials, who came in direct contact with people who tested positive, went into self-quarantine. Paul did not, because he said he had no direct contact with the people who tested positive.
His decision not to go into self-quarantine, coupled with the fact that he then delayed and voted against a bill that provided coronavirus relief, which included free testing, sparked outrage in Washington D.C. and throughout the country.
U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, said on Twitter she has never criticized another senator’s actions, but she thought Paul was in the wrong.
“This, America, is absolutely irresponsible,” Sinema wrote. “You cannot be near other people while waiting for coronavirus test results. It endangers others & likely increases the spread of the virus.”
Paul defended his decision not to go into self-quarantine after being tested, saying the event he attended was in a large space and that he was considered “low-risk.” Currently, there are limited tests and people are generally only tested if they are presenting symptoms.
“For those who want to criticize me for lack of quarantine, realize that if the rules on testing had been followed to a tee, I would never have been tested and would still be walking around the halls of the Capitol,” Paul said. “The current guidelines would not have called for me to get tested nor quarantined. It was my extra precaution, out of concern for my damaged lung, that led me to get tested.”
Paul went on to call for increased testing in the country. The process has been slowed down by CDC guidelines and limited supplies, but more and more tests are starting up throughout the country, including at least 10 labs in Kentucky.
“The broader the testing and the less finger-pointing we have, the better,” Paul said. “America is strong. We are a resilient people, but we’re stronger when we stand together.”
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 2:07 PM.
