A crowded Rose Garden ceremony last Saturday at which Donald Trump announced Amy Coney Barrett as his supreme court nominee has come under scrutiny after at least seven figures in attendance tested positive for coronavirus, including the president himself.
Speculation is growing that the event, which took place on 25 September, could have been the source of Trump’s infection and possibly a super-spreader event, as confirmed cases rise. Barrett said Friday that she had not tested positive for the virus.
On Friday, the president’s former counsellor, Kellyanne Conway, announced she had tested positive and had “mild” symptoms.
Two Republican senators, Thom Tillis and Mike Lee, also announced they have also tested positive.Tweets wishing for Trump’s death violate Twitter policy, company saysRead more
Lee, who did not wear a mask at the White House event, said he had “symptoms consistent with longtime allergies”. Tillis, who did wear a mask, said he has no symptoms. Both said they will quarantine for 10 days – ending just before Barrett’s confirmation hearings begin on 12 October.
Both senators serve on the Senate judiciary committee, raising questions about upcoming supreme court confirmation hearings and whether additional senators may have been exposed.
The White House Correspondent’s Association said that an unnamed journalist who attended the event also tested positive, according to ABC News.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/02/kellyanne-conway-covid-19-rose-garden-event