2 Idaho Democrats test positive for COVID-19 after third day of legislative session
Two Idaho lawmakers, who have been attending meetings both at the Statehouse and elsewhere, tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday — the third day of the legislative session.
Rep. John Gannon and Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, both Boise Democrats, learned of their test results Wednesday, according to a news release from Olivia Heersink, spokesperson for the House and Senate Democrats. The legislators were testing as a precaution, Heersink said.
After learning about their results, they “promptly left the Statehouse.”
“Both are at home now and wore masks while at the Capitol this week,” Heersink said in an emailed statement. “Individuals who were in close contact have been notified and will get tested.”
Heersink told the Idaho Statesman by email that neither Gannon nor Ward-Engelking had symptoms when they were tested.
Both lawmakers attended meetings at the Capitol this week. The legislative session kicked off Monday.
Additionally, Gannon spoke Tuesday night before the Boise City Council during a public hearing on a short-term rental ordinance. He was in the council’s chambers for multiple hours, during which he was seen talking to other attendees and a couple council members.
Reached by phone Wednesday, Gannon said he was experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms and had no idea he was contagious before testing positive. He said he will participate in the session remotely while he still has COVID-19.
Last year, the Legislature shut down for two weeks after a COVID-19 outbreak, when at least six lawmakers tested positive for the virus in one week. The shutdown cost taxpayers $318,000.
Most Idaho legislators do not wear masks, a measure recommended by medical experts to minimize the spread of the virus. The Legislature also has no requirements around COVID-19 testing.
Gannon said he is concerned about the further spread of COVID-19 among legislators during the session.
“It would not surprise me if many more legislators test positive,” he said.
Boise City Council Member Holli Woodings, who was seen talking to Gannon, said Wednesday afternoon she had not received a notification of the possible exposure and learned about it from Twitter.
Boise city officials require everyone to wear masks when inside city buildings and those attending council meetings are required to remain 6 feet apart.
Woodings said she and Council President Elaine Clegg were already considering moving meetings the council’s earlier hybrid model, where half the body would attend in person and half virtually. Gannon’s positive test will be a good indicator to see if the city’s precautions ultimately work, she said.
This story was originally published January 12, 2022 at 4:30 PM.
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