New York Times calls for all members of Congress to be tested for coronavirus

The New York Times on Monday called for all members of Congress to be tested for the novel coronavirus in the wake of Rep. Louie Gohmert’s (R-Texas) diagnosis last week.

While more than a dozen members of Congress had already tested or been presumed positive for the virus, “something about the diagnosis of Mr. Gohmert, who has belligerently flouted public health recommendations such as mask wearing and social distancing, prompted a convulsion of rage on Capitol Hill,” the newspaper’s editorial board wrote.

“From maintenance workers to legislative aides, employees came forward with anonymous accounts of how the patchwork of precautions — each lawmaker’s office operates with its own rules — and cavalier behavior by some members was endangering the thousands of people who keep the Capitol complex running,” it added.

The paper credits “many lawmakers” for taking proper precautions, such as scaled-back office staff, social distancing and masks. The editorial, however, blasts other members for disregarding these measures “for political reasons” and those who “seem to believe the virus cannot touch them.” The editorial specifically cites Rep. Clay Higgins’s (R-La.) claim that masks are “part of the dehumanization of the children of God.”

“Elected officials have a particular responsibility both to model responsible behavior during this pandemic and to take extra precautions so they don’t become super spreaders,” the editorial board wrote. “Put another way, when a lawmaker behaves like a ‘ding dong,’ as one Republican aide said of Mr. Gohmert, he puts everyone at risk.”

It specifically points to Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who tested positive shortly after Gohmert and Grijalva chaired a hearing that Gohmert attended without a mask.

Both Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have declined an offer by the White House to set aside rapid-response tests for lawmakers. The Times wrote that while the reasoning behind the decision — not wanting to appear to be receiving special treatment — is sound, the lawmaking body is “not an ordinary workplace.”

“Congress members are influential figures, and in this time of crisis they ought to be leading by example. By taking steps to protect themselves, their staff members and their constituents, lawmakers can send a signal about the seriousness of this situation to a confused and weary public,” the editorial states.