Ohio officials will get COVID tests after being around Donald Trump at debate and White House event
Several Ohio officials, including Sen. Rob Portman, Congressman Jim Jordan and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, will get coronavirus tests today because they were at least in the same place as President Donald Trump this week.
Portman was with Trump just outside the White House for a Monday event featuring the prototype of an electric truck being built in the old GM plant in Lordstown.
Jordan and Husted attended Tuesday's debate in Cleveland, although both said they did not have close contact with the president or first lady Melania Trump.
Emily Benavides, Portman's communications director, said, "While he is not experiencing any symptoms, and neither is (wife) Jane, out of an abundance of caution, he is consulting with his physician and plans to take a COVID-19 diagnostic test and cancel his scheduled in-person events today.”
Those attending the White House gathering and the debate were required to have a negative test for COVID-19.
The president and first lady announced early Friday morning they had tested positive for COVID-19. So has top aide Hope Hicks and, reportedly, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDanield.
Democratic Congresswomen Joyce Beatty of the Columbus area and Marcy Kaptur both were at the debate, but neither came into proximity with any of the Trump family members, their spokesmen said. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles was in the same situation but he has decided to get a test anyway, his spokesman said.
Fewer than 100 persons were in the actual debate hall in the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion, run by Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic.
During an appearance Friday morning on Fox and Friends, Jordan downplayed his interactions with those who tested positive, including the president.
“I was only around the president for just a brief amount of time. I didn’t fly back with him. I stayed to do some TV on Fox,” the Urbana Republican said. “I feel great. I had a great workout yesterday. I feel fine."
Jordan said he has been tested 13 times, most recently on Tuesday. He still plans to join a virtual committee hearing Friday.
“I think the president will beat it. The president has beat just about anything that’s been thrown at him these last four years,” Jordan said.
A spokesman said the congressman will follow his doctor’s orders regarding a quarantine and while he did not wear a mask during the debate, he "has always worn a mask when required and will continue to do so."
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Husted is getting tested even though he was relatively far away from the first lady and Trump's family, who sat in the front row.
"The lieutenant governor’s seat at the debate was at least 50 feet away from the stage and the president’s family & friends," said Husted spokeswoman Carolyn Cypret.
"Though he has no reason to believe that he came into contact with anyone who was positive with COVID-19, the lieutenant governor will take a test today, and we will release those results when they are available."
Cypret also said Husted "is voluntarily self-isolating at home until he receives the results."
Gov. Mike DeWine did not attend, but several other Ohio officials did.
One, House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, tweeted: "While I await guidance from the proper authorities, I will isolate."
Sykes attended with her father, state Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron. She did not mention if he is getting tested as well.
Sykes also confirmed reports from several news outlets that just before the debate, a Cleveland Clinic doctor offered masks to those in the audience who weren't wearing them, including Trump's family in the front row and Ohio GOP Congressman Jim Jordan in the second.
They refused.
"I am relieved to hear that the president, who has refused to follow so many of the guidelines, now plans to quarantine," Sykes said in a statement Friday morning.
"Sitting in the debate hall on Tuesday, I was concerned with so many in the president’s entourage who refused to wear masks, despite urging from Cleveland Clinic physicians. I am frustrated today as I worry now about my own health and the health of so many others who were present that evening like journalists, support staff, Cleveland Clinic professionals, and many others who could have potentially been exposed.
DeWine issued a statement: "Fran and I join our fellow Ohioans in praying for President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after they announced early today that they have both tested positive for COVID-19."
Dispatch reporters Rick Rouan and Randy Ludlow contributed to this story.
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