Minnesota Republican Senate (Gazelka) leader says he could have handled COVID outbreak differently

[dflprincess]

File this under "Ya think?"

https://www.startribune.com/gazelka-says-he-could-ve-handled-covid-outbreak-differently/573103631/

Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said Tuesday he could have handled a large indoor gathering and information sharing about COVID-19 differently, following an outbreak at the Minnesota Capitol and outcry from DFL legislators demanding more transparency.

“In hindsight, we could have handled the event and our information sharing differently,” Gazelka said in a statement.

“I personally will apply lessons from this episode to inform future decisions as we prepare for the 2021 legislative session. I am committed to protecting senators, staff and the people with whom we come in contact.”

The Capitol outbreak includes an unknown number of staffers and at least four senators, including Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, who said Sunday that he’s quarantining in Florida after testing positive. At least one House Republican member has also tested positive, a spokesman confirmed on Monday.

Sen. Matt Klein, DFL-Mendota Heights, is pressing for GOP leaders to share information as to whether senators and staff were potentially exposed at a private meeting, in order to prevent wider spread of the virus. News of the outbreak followed a legislative special session last week.

“I continue to care for patients on a regular basis,” said Klein, a medical doctor. “For their safety and my own, I demand that Senator Gazelka tell us if any of the members or staff who attended the November 12 special session with me have been tested or have experienced symptoms, and if any of those tests have been positive.”

Much more at the link. Strangely enough, the Strib is not allowing comments on this article. And, while it's not mentioned in this article, I understand Republicans have started whining that, by calling for Gazelka's resignation, the DFL is "politicizing" Covid. There was an annoying Letter to Editor along those line today - all about how we have to "heal" & it's apparently up to the Democrats to do all the healing.

[abqtommy]

1. It's interesting to me that there seem to be many reTHUG rats abandoning the sinking

tRUMPtanic. But let's remember that they're still RATS and remind them of that. Often.

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Lets see,hmmmm,

St Peter Schools had 175 students under quarantine as of Saturday. Hmmm,differently,yah right. The Quistians are raising holy hell in Nicollett and Brown Counties. Yup,it's a hoax. Tell that to my Grand Daughters School mates.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. So he's got the covid - I hope it's nothing trivial.

[dflprincess]

4. And he flew to Florida

It's not clear if he knew whether or not he was positive when he flew or not. My money is that he knew. I hope whatever airline he's booked on to come home demands a test before they let him on the plane.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. It was probably Delta, and they probably won't let him fly back.

https://news.delta.com/delta-adds-customer-health-screening-and-mask-acknowledgment-requirement-check

[dflprincess]

6. Good for Delta! nt