Lots of updates today on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and its many storylines…
For one, the first United States Senator has tested positive for the disease; it was just announced hours ago that Rand Paul, a Republican Senator from Kentucky, tested positive for the coronavirus and will remain in quarantine for the foreseeable future.
Related: Watch This Must-See Video About The Coronavirus And How To Stop It!
It’s a scary moment, for sure — and one of many as we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic crisis and attempt to fight it off well enough to avoid full-scale sickness and the overcrowding of hospitals and medical facilities.
Senator Rand Paul tests positive
The senator is currently continuing to work remotely, according to Fox News, while remaining in quarantine and away from other people.
A staffer using the Senator’s official Twitter account shared more news about the disease and diagnosis on Sunday morning, saying (below):
“Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. 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. 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.”
Paul is the first known member of the Senate to contract the virus; Congressmen Mario Diaz-Ballart (R-Fla.) and Ben McAdams (D-Utah) have also tested positive, along with several congressional staffers.
As you’ll probably recall, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) earlier went into self-quarantine after possibly being exposed to the virus during a political outing several weeks ago.
Bethenny To The Rescue!
Good on Bethenny Frankel, who is about to deliver more than 500,000 masks to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals left at a high risk of contracting the coronavirus as they work to treat patients.
According to TMZ, Bethenny’s foundation Bstrong is working with manufacturers from all over the world to make more masks, and she now claims she’s on the verge of being able to provide more than 500,000 N-95 masks to doctors and other hospital workers. So incredible!!!
Related: Andy Cohen Opens Up About Coronavirus Diagnosis
The masks will reportedly be available in a few days, and should help those who need it all over the country — in both urban areas, which have been hit the hardest, and rural ones too, where there are far less supplies to use.
Mike Pence is in the clear
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen have both tested negative for COVID-19, according to an announcement from his press secretary on Saturday night. One of Pence’s staffers had tested positive for the virus earlier in the week, and there was some concern he’d been exposed to it as well, but it does not appear so at this point in time.
Pence further noted that the staffer in question did not have any personal contact with him or President Donald Trump, though it’s unclear on what basis that was noted. It’s also unclear if Trump himself took a coronavirus test to confirm his status, too.
Neil Diamond Does His Part!
Somebody better give serious props to Neil Diamond, for changing the words to Sweet Caroline and doing his part to discuss (er, sing) the importance of washing hands!
Ch-ch-check out this amazing viral video from late Saturday night (below):
Brilliant! “Hands washing hands”
It’s @NeilDiamond but not quite as you’ve heard him before. 🎶🎶🎶
— Siobhan Benita (@SiobhanBenita) March 22, 2020
Ha! Love it!!
Hopefully it’ll help some of y’all remember what to do, too… just saying!!!!
Can You Wait Three More Months?
Get ready to settle in, y’all, because according to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, the coronavirus quarantine is probably going to last well into June.
Mnuchin appeared on Fox News Sunday earlier this morning, and gave host Chris Wallace a most realistic timetable for the virus to come and go, noting it’s highly likely the whole thing will last at last 10 to 12 weeks in its current form, potentially endangering millions of Americans.
Related: Colton Underwood Is Now Suffering With The Coronavirus
Ohhh, man. What a s**t show this whole thing has become…
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