Gohmert Questions Whether Wearing Mask Led to Virus

As Nancy Pelosi announces new requirement
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 30, 2020 12:32 AM CDT
After Gohmert's Positive Test, Pelosi Mandates Masks
Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, adjusts his face mask during a House Judiciary Committee markup of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 17, 2020.   (Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP)

Rep. Louie Gohmert opposed the idea of a mandate to wear masks on the House floor, then tested positive for COVID-19 himself—and now such a mandate has come to pass. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday that masks are now required on the House floor, in the House halls, and in the House office buildings, USA Today reports. "Any person not wearing a face cover will be asked to put on a face cover or leave," says a press release. CNN reports lawmakers will be allowed to temporarily remove their masks to give a speech or interview, or eat and drink. The Senate currently has no mask mandate. The AP notes Gohmert's positive test has renewed concern over safety on Capitol Hill, with some lawmakers pushing for more regular coronavirus testing.

Meanwhile, Gohmert said in a video statement that he has "the Wuhan virus" but is asymptomatic, and he suggested to KETK that perhaps it was the fact that he's been wearing a mask so frequently during the past couple weeks that doomed him, possibly because he got germs on his mask that then transferred to his hands when he moved the mask around to adjust it, or vice versa. "I can't help but think if I hadn't been wearing a mask so much in the last 10 days or so, I really wonder if I wouldn't have gotten it," he said. He says he'll self-quarantine for 10 days, per advice from medical professionals. He also told Fox News he'll take hydroxychloroquine for treatment. (More coronavirus stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X