Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett Contracted Coronavirus This Summer

Topline

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett tested positive for the coronavirus this summer, according to the Washington Post, but has recovered and her most recent tests have been negative, a revelation that comes as Washington has been rocked by the news that President Trump has fallen ill with Covid-19, as well as the first lady, White House aide Hope Hicks and Senate Judiciary Committee member Mike Lee (R-Utah).

Key Facts

Key Background

On Thursday, the White House learned top Trump adviser Hope Hicks tested positive for the coronavirus just as the President was leaving for a fundraiser in New Jersey. Hours later Trump and his wife, Melania, tweeted they had tested positive for the virus. Barrett was last with Trump at the Rose Garden ceremony on Saturday. She is tested for the coronavirus daily, and has been on Capitol Hill three times this week for meetings with at least 30 senators including Lee, McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham. McConnell told Fox News he wasn’t sure if any senators apart from Lee had been infected but admitted the virus “can sneak up on you as it obviously did the President and the First Lady, so we’re being very careful and keep an eye out on everyone.” Scientists say that a negative test doesn’t guarantee one isn’t infected, and that anyone who has come in contact with with an infected person should self-quarantine for 14 days.

Surprising Fact

Evidence has shown that it is possible to be reinfected with the coronavirus, though cases of double infection may be the exception to the rule.

Tangent

White House operations staff cleared Trump to attend a New Jersey fundraiser Thursday, during which he interacted with about 100 people, even though they knew he had been exposed to the coronavirus and could himself be infected. 

What To Watch For

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham said hearings to confirm Barrett would begin on October 12, with voting to follow soon after. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday that Barrett’s nomination should be advanced out of the committee October 22 and then head to the Senate floor for a full vote.

Further Reading

Supreme Court nominee tested positive for coronavirus this summer, has since recovered (Washington Post)

Can You Get A Covid-19 Infection Twice? An Infectious Disease Doctor Discusses New Evidence (Forbes)

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