After it was revealed that an attendee of CPAC—the Conservative Political Action Conference—several prominent Republican politicians placed themselves in self-quarantine as a precautionary measure.
Among those politicians is Representative Matt Gaetz, a GOP congressman from Florida who only days prior wore a gas mask in Congress to mock the pandemic—just days before one of his constituents died from COVID-19.
Hopefully Gaetz is no longer laughing.
On his way home to Florida for self-quarantine, karma seemed to leave Gaetz's accommodations somewhat lacking.
@MotherJones ❤️ https://t.co/qWcPkFnDmI— I don’t need oranges.🍊✊ (@I don’t need oranges.🍊✊)1583880160.0
Gaetz told the Pensacola News Journal about his efforts to remain quarantined as he returned to his home in Florida, saying:
"I couldn't stay in a hotel. I slept in a Walmart parking lot somewhere off [Interstate] 85."
FUN FACT: This is the the fifth time Matt Gaetz has slept off exposure to Coronas in a Walmart parkin’ lot. https://t.co/ZvGbqZI333— Tea Pain (@Tea Pain)1583881027.0
Now Gaetz is likely a lot more comfortable back in his home in Okaloosa County, but he's not the only GOP lawmaker who's had to put themselves into self-quarantine.
@AaronBlake So he didn’t really change his routine— Brent (@Brent)1583884005.0
@AaronBlake He could have stayed in a hotel if he had just worn his gas mask. Really, what is wrong with this guy.… https://t.co/uqRJdlPKsW— Pat Magda (@Pat Magda)1583884214.0
Doug Collins, Mark Meadows and Ted Cruz have all cut themselves off from their colleagues after encountering the coronavirus patient at CPAC.
Republicans under quarantine for coronavirus so far: * Ted Cruz * Paul Gosar * Doug Collins * Matt Gaetz Who sai… https://t.co/S65P5de7f3— Amy Siskind 🏳️🌈 (@Amy Siskind 🏳️🌈)1583784432.0
Matt Schlapp (who has no medical background): "Coming out of CPAC, one thing we've learned is, even when there's an… https://t.co/Hw3m1I7zBc— Lis Power (@Lis Power)1583935373.0
Paul Gosar shook hands with trump Matt Gaetz shook hands with trump Doug Collins shook hands with trump Ted Cru… https://t.co/aYwytro2ij— Baligubadle (@Baligubadle)1583791071.0
Since returning to Florida, Gaetz tweeted that he tested negative for COVID-19, but is keeping himself in quarantine for a few more days just in case.
I've just been informed that my COVID-19 lab result was negative. In an abundance of caution, I will remain under… https://t.co/Y9kvLTDWiR— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@Rep. Matt Gaetz)1583866928.0
Rep Matt Gaetz can get tested for #COVID19. Who can not get tested?: * Our nurses * caregivers * patients * patien… https://t.co/y91lcT2EWf— VOTED Tue: Nov 5, 2019 (@VOTED Tue: Nov 5, 2019)1583889912.0
Gaetz's story holds a lesson for us all: don't make fun of a virus if there's still a chance you may get it.