Rep. Schneider Tests Positive For Coronavirus

DEERFIELD, IL — U.S. Rep Brad Schneider (IL-10) is the latest member of Congress to test positive for the coronavirus since last Wednesday's attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to his office. Schneider said in a statement he is currently isolating himself at his Deerfield home following the diagnosis.

"Thankfully, I have not yet experienced symptoms and am in the care of capable physicians," Schneider said. "Since driving home to Deerfield from Washington, I have remained isolated as much as possible from my wife in our house and have not experienced other close contacts since my exposure on Wednesday."

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Schneider said he received the positive COVID-19 test news Tuesday morning after being tested Monday on the advice of the attending physician of the U.S. House of Representatives. He said a number of fellow members of Congress were not wearing masks while the U.S. Capitol was on lockdown.

"Several Republican lawmakers in the room adamantly refused to wear a mask, as demonstrated in video from Punchbowl News, even when politely asked by their colleagues," Schneider said. "Today, I am now in strict isolation, worried that I have risked my wife’s health and angry at the selfishness and arrogance of the anti-maskers who put their own contempt and disregard for decency ahead of the health and safety of their colleagues and our staff."

Schneider believes he is at least the third member from that room to test positive, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a 75-year-old cancer survivor.

“Wearing a mask is not a political statement — it is public health guidance, common courtesy, and simply what should be expected of all decent people," Schneider said. "We can no longer tolerate Members coming to the floor or gathering in the halls of Congress without doing the bare minimum to protect those around them. Those that flout public health guidance should be sanctioned and immediately removed from the House floor by the Sergeant at Arms for their reckless endangerment of their colleagues."