NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Rep. Bill Beck (D – Nashville) has tested positive for COVID-19.
The state representative confirmed the diagnosis Thursday, saying he began having symptoms on Sunday and self-isolated. He said he got tested on Monday and got his confirmed result on Tuesday.
Beck said his symptoms began 11 days after the end of the special legislative session.
"I and many others said this special session was unnecessary and highly risky. We have been proven right on both accounts. I will be shocked if I am the only member who caught COVID-19 while attending a special session that did nothing but provide businesses with immunity from legitimate COVID-19 lawsuits and criminalize the right of our citizens to peacefully assembly and protest their government" Beck said in a statement on Thursday.
In his statement, Beck expressed his disappointment with fellow state lawmakers who were not following medical guidelines to minimize the spread of the virus.
"Unfortunately, staying safe is a group effort and the General Assembly as a whole failed to follow the medical advice of wearing a mask and social distancing while in Nashville for the special session," Beck said.
The lawmaker ended his statement by encouraging everyone to wear a mask any time you leave the house.
Doug Kufner released the following statement on behalf of House Speaker Cameron Sexton in regards to Beck's positive case:
“Any positive cases within our workplace are being handled as the CDC recommends, and identities are not being released to adhere to privacy provisions under HIPPA.
Because Rep. Beck has self-identified, I can confirm he notified Legislative Administration late yesterday of his positive Covid-19 result. Based upon CDC guidelines, contact tracing is not necessary in his situation because Rep. Beck has indicated he has not been in the building or in contact with anyone here since special session concluded on Aug. 12. While we only perform contact tracing for interactions within the General Assembly, we are confident Rep. Beck and the Department of Health will make any additional notifications, if necessary.
Speaker Sexton encourages everyone to continue taking reasonable precautions to protect themselves and others including testing if they have been exposed, as well as using masks in public. We all wish Representative Beck and his family well, and we pray that he has a quick recovery.”
