2 Trump pol pals self-quarantining

Two Republicans who recently spent time with President Trump have quarantined themselves after coming in contact with people infected by the coronavirus — meaning five members of Congress are now in isolation over the rapidly spreading respiratory infection.

Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Doug Collins (R-Ga.) (photo top, with Trump) and Julia Brownsley (D-Calif.) all announced Monday that they were going into quarantine after learning they recently met people who have tested positive for the virus.

Gaetz and Collins, who explicitly described their isolation measures as “self-quarantine,” said over Twitter they met at least one person infected by the coronavirus at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland last month. Since then, both GOP lawmakers have been in close contact with Trump.

Brownsley told reporters she was closing her Capitol Hill office and planning on working remotely after learning she interacted with a coronavirus patient last week.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) said Sunday they were going into quarantine as well after meeting the coronavirus patient who attended last month’s CPAC event.

Trump dodged questions about whether he’s been tested for the virus during a briefing at the White House on Monday evening. Vice President Mike Pence, who was left behind to speak for his boss, said he didn’t know the answer.

“I honestly don’t know,” Pence said. “We will get you an answer.”

Collins was with Trump during his Friday visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. They were pictured shaking hands during the visit. Gaetz, meanwhile, flew back to Washington, D.C., from Florida with Trump on Monday.

Both Republicans said they aren’t experiencing any symptoms and quarantining themselves for 14 days out of an abundance of caution.

“While I feel completely healthy and I am not experiencing any symptoms, I have decided to self-quarantine at my home,” Collins said in a statement.

Gaetz drew outrage last week when he posted a picture of himself wearing a gas mask on the House floor before voting on an emergency coronavirus spending bill. The Florida Republican’s office claimed the gas mask spoof was actually evidence that he takes the viral outbreak seriously.

“Congressman Gaetz had expected COVID-19 to impact Congress, given the elevated frequency of travel and human contact, and demonstrated his concern last week on the House floor,” Gaetz’ official Twitter handle posted.

Cruz’s office said Monday that the Texas Republican “feels great.”

“[Cruz] has not exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus in the last 11 days and is not currently experiencing symptoms,” his office said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wouldn’t rule out shutting down the U.S. Capitol amid the coronavirus scare.

“At this time, there’s no reason to do so but it’s not my decision. It’s a security and health decision,” she told reporters.