# Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) tests positive for Coronavirus **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 22, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049 "2020-03-22T20:07:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/1 "2020-03-22T20:07:42Z")
But hey, at least we didn’t have to spend the last couple of years wasting tax dollars on some commie socialist pandemic task force. > **[Rand Paul is first senator to test positive for coronavirus | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/22/politics/rand-paul-coronavirus/index.html)** > > Kentucky Republican Rand Paul is the first US senator to test positive for coronavirus, throwing an even greater sense of urgency into Senate negotiations over a massive stimulus package that had yet to come together Sunday afternoon as other... ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/2 "2020-03-22T20:10:30Z")
Thoughts and prayers for the miserable bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/3 "2020-03-22T20:16:08Z")
At a tough time like this for Senator Paul, I take comfort that he can rely on the kindness of his neighbor. ---
**Author:** ![Ulysses](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulysses/32/16083_2.png) [@Ulysses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulysses)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/4 "2020-03-22T20:17:51Z")
I’m sure he’ll decline any treatments that were developed with government funding. Schadenfreude aside, I hope he recovers. And has an epiphany about the needs of others. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/5 "2020-03-22T20:23:03Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > At a tough time like this for Senator Paul, I take comfort that he can rely on the kindness of his neighbor. Ok, that killed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/6 "2020-03-22T20:23:39Z")
Was there some testing of all members of Congress that I missed? Otherwise why was a test used on an asymptomatic person against what seems to be protocol? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/7 "2020-03-22T20:37:51Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Thoughts and prayers for the miserable bastard. _ **Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn.** _ Stranger ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/8 "2020-03-22T20:44:55Z")
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. :dubious: He KNEW he had been exposed, and yet went to the Senate gym this morning (which included a few laps in the pool - taking “Drain the Swamp” into another dimension), thus potentially infecting who knows how many people. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/9 "2020-03-22T20:46:45Z")
Republicans offered him “thoughts and prayers.” [https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2894053001](https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2894053001) This is terrible news for Senator Paul. Giving him the same level of action as was promised for Sandy Hook kids is an insult. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/10 "2020-03-22T21:27:18Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Was there some testing of all members of Congress that I missed? Otherwise why was a test used on an asymptomatic person against what seems to be protocol? I assumed he had exposure to someone who later tested positive… ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/11 "2020-03-22T21:31:02Z")
You know, I was wondering why I suddenly had absolutely no interest in the election, and do you know what I think it is? I have no idea who will be alive, and not incapacitated, by then. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/12 "2020-03-22T21:36:58Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I assumed he had exposure to someone who later tested positive… I thought tests were reserved for symptomatic individuals until the shortage is addressed. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/13 "2020-03-22T21:36:59Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Thoughts and prayers for the miserable bastard. Now, now, say something nice. Like… he’s not the worst Senator Kentucky has. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/14 "2020-03-22T21:50:45Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I assumed he had exposure to someone who later tested positive… Wrong. [From Paul’s office](https://www.axios.com/rand-paul-coronavirus-847b3df1-92bc-4ee6-833b-952d16f3ee3f.html): > [@](#): > > ``` > "Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person. He expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time. Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul." > > ``` > > — Rand Paul’s office on Twitter IOW, 'cause he’s speshul. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/15 "2020-03-22T22:31:40Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Now, now, say something nice. Like… he’s not the worst Senator Kentucky has. Very low bar… ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/16 "2020-03-22T22:39:40Z")
Subterranean. ---
**Author:** ![Yosh99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ccd318/32.png) [@Yosh99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yosh99)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/17 "2020-03-22T22:43:36Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. :dubious: > > He KNEW he had been exposed, and yet went to the Senate gym this morning (which included a few laps in the pool - taking “Drain the Swamp” into another dimension), thus potentially infecting who knows how many people. In my home state, Minnesota, all the gyms have been closed for several days, and the Senators are still using theirs? How irresponsible and stupid. ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/18 "2020-03-22T22:43:54Z")
I can’t really post a link, but according to CNN Live Updates four additional GOP Senators (Romney, Lee, Gardner, Scott) are under self quarantine due to extensive contact they have had recently with Sen. Paul, effectively reducing the GOP senate majority to 48-47 for the time being. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/19 "2020-03-22T22:46:15Z")
I hope he gave Mitch a big bear hug before going off to be tested. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049/20 "2020-03-22T23:06:37Z")
Here are his proposals as to what to do for the coronavirus problem: > **[Dr. Rand Paul’s prescription for combating the coronavirus crisis](https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/488726-dr-rand-pauls-prescription-for-combating-the-coronavirus/)** > > There is no doubt surrounding the severity of this crises. The question is, how do we act with prudence to help those who will be truly in need? And how do we protect our nation’s future with … Frankly I am surprised he goes this far. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-rand-paul-r-ky-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/850049.md?page=2)