COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has tested positive for the coronavirus, the first senator to disclose a breakthrough infection after being vaccinated.
In a statement issued Monday afternoon, the South Carolina Republican said that he “started having flu-like symptoms Saturday night” and went to the doctor Monday morning.
After being notified of his positive test, Graham said he would quarantine for 10 days.
“I feel like I have a sinus infection, and at present time, I have mild symptoms,” the 66-year-old Graham said. “I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination, I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse.”
Graham, who was vaccinated in December, has long been a proponent of vaccination, saying during a visit this spring to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston that “the sooner we get everybody vaccinated, the quicker we can get back to normal.”
Graham’s infection comes on the heels of updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance urging even fully vaccinated people to return to wearing masks indoors in areas of high coronavirus transmission, citing the surge of the highly contagious delta variant. Recent analysis has shown that breakthrough cases of COVID-19, with mild or no symptoms, still remain rare.
“Senator Manchin is fully vaccinated and following the CDC guidelines for those exposed to a COVID-positive individual," Manchin spokeswoman Sam Runyon said
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 2, 2021
Both congressional chambers have been adopting stricter face covering regulations amid a resurgence in COVID-19 cases across the country. The House has returned to a mask requirement, while the Senate has recommended medical-grade face coverings.
Some Democrats were quick to hope for Graham’s death.
The de facto executive director of the @RIDemParty apparently wants #SCSEN @LindseyGrahamSC to die of coronavirus.
Any comment: #RIGOV @DanMcKeeRI,#RISEN @jackreed2020 @SheldonforRI, #RI01 @davidcicilline, #RI02 @LangevinForRI? https://t.co/KfXTsBmjsJ pic.twitter.com/bqLkrTuyAU
— Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) August 3, 2021
Graham, who was wearing a mask, did not answer questions from reporters on Capitol Hill earlier Monday, prior to the statement being issued. Because of Senate votes, Graham was not in attendance at Friday night’s Silver Elephant dinner, the South Carolina Republican Party’s signature annual fundraiser and an event attended by hundreds, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a headlining speaker.
Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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When you hang out in a swamp, you are bound to get sick. Washington, DC was built on a swamp at the convergence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. It is still a swamp today, the only difference is the germs are a lot different and the worst walk on two legs like creatures from the black lagoon. Most of the muck gets paved over by Democrats, but it is still there when you scratch the surface.
PITY more of them are not falling like flies..
Who cares about the House and Senate, they are both worthless.
“I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination, I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse.” — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham
The COVID vaccine IS NOT a guarantee that one will not contract COVID. The vaccine enables one’s body to create antibodies against the COVID. The vaccine can either prevent one from being effected by COVID or it can help fight off COVID.
Either way it is better to have a little bit of defense against COVID, than no defense at all.
I don’t believe any professional politician, I got vaccinated because I felt like it was an intelligent thing to do.
I am 70 years old and overweight, COVID would probably kill me if I got COVID without being vaccinated.
You do what you want, but don’t be a fool and believe any Democrat or their servants.
Hell, part of me honestly wonders, if the vaccines are not GIVING FOLKS COVID, especially the so-called delta variant. JUST SO THEY CAN KEEP US sick, and thus push more mandates/lockdowns, for as long as they are allowed to get away with it!
Maybe Lindsey needs to get tested again to make sure it’s not Monkeypox.