Lawmakers increasingly anxious over COVID-19 after CPAC exposure and want a recess.

[herding cats]

Full story up:

Anxiety in an aging Congress as coronavirus marches across U.S.

WASHINGTON — Members of Congress are becoming increasingly anxious about coronavirus, and there is growing pressure on leadership to take steps to protect lawmakers — even potentially recessing for a period of weeks — two Democratic congressional sources said Sunday.

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Members plan to raise concerns with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., at their weekly leadership meeting Monday afternoon, two sources said. It's Pelosi's decision whether to keep the House in session or make changes in the schedule.

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And some members were urging Congress to stay the course to "show leadership in a time of great anxiety" and conduct oversight of the Trump administration's response.

Members should "follow the very advice we're giving the country: wash our hands, avoid contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms, stay home if we're sick and ensure our staffs are doing the same," one lawmaker told NBC News

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/anxiety-aging-congress-spreads-along-coronavirus-n1152851

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BREAKING from me &
@AlexNBCNews
: Members of Congress are becoming increasingly anxious about coronavirus and there is growing pressure on leadership to take steps to protect lawmakers — even potentially recessing for a period of weeks, according to two Democratic sources

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Multiple sources tell NBC News anxiety is on the rise among lawmakers as more cases are reported and the disease spreads Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, announced late Sunday he will self-quarantine after shaking hands with a CPAC attendee who is now hospitalized with COVID19.

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And Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., is also self-quarantining after close contact with the CPAC attendee, as are several members of his senior staff. Gosar is closing his Washington office for the week. "

“Members are very nervous,” a senior Democratic leadership aide said.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Members of Congress could still do constituent work and consult on issues while in recess. But they can’t take votes.

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ALSO OF NOTE: Congress as a whole could be more susceptible to dangerous symptoms of the coronavirus. Sixty-six senators are over the age of 60 — fully two-thirds of the body, with more than a quarter over age 70. The average age of House members is 57.6 years, per CRS.

The Dems are giving them rope here is my best guess. Either it's a serious threat we need to deal with, or it's a hoax. Make up your minds and pick a stance.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. But their constituents are in their own.

[at140]

2. Take all the unpaid leave you desire.

No work no pay!

[DBoon]

3. Why concernd?

Didn't Trump himself say it was a hoax designed by democrats to make him look bad?

[herding cats]

6. I think this is a play to expose their lies on the topic.

The Dems are giving them rope here is my best guess. Either it's a serious threat we need to deal with, or it's a hoax. Make up your minds and pick a stance.

[Leith]

4. Their god in the White House said that people could work

if they weren't feeling too awful. Those senators and congress critters should get off their lazy asses and get back to screwing the country up beyond hope and caring!

[herding cats]

7. They can't vote remotely.

No new judges could be approved.

[Arazi]

5. Fuck this shit. They get free time off and free screening

[defacto7]

8. Fundraising and campaigning from home.