Congressman David Monson, R-Osnabrock, confirmed to Forum News Service on Monday, March 15, that he tested positive for the disease early in the morning “after experiencing what I thought was a mild cold over the weekend. ” Monson, a 28-year veteran in the legislature and president of the Chamber’s Education and Environment Division, electronically tuned in to the Chamber session on Monday.
Senate and House leaders said they did not know of any other positive tests on Monday. Grand Forks Sen. Ray Holmberg and Jamestown Sen. Terry Wanzek recovered from the virus after announcing positive tests in December and January.
Monday was the first day that lawmakers had the option to renounce the use of a mask or face shield in the Senate and the House, and most members took advantage of the rule change.
North Dakota representative, David Monson, R-Osnabrock. North Dakota legislature photo
Only about 30 lawmakers, including all 21 Democrats and a small minority of Republicans, wore masks during Monday’s plenary sessions, while the rest of their colleagues opted for a naked face.
Republican leaders supported the relaxation of the mask requirement because COVID-19 cases have dropped significantly in North Dakota and many lawmakers have been vaccinated against the virus.
House minority leader Josh Boschee said the lack of wearing a mask was “certainly worrying”, noting that facial coverage has proven effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota. Democratic Fargo, who received his first dose of the vaccine last week, said he was not too concerned about getting the virus in the chamber.
Legislative leaders have the power to reinstate the mask rule over lawmakers if an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs, but House majority majority leader Chet Pollert, R-Carrington, said that there is no set number of positive tests that would lead to a restoration of politics.
When social detachment is not possible, lawmakers must still wear masks or face shields in other common areas of the Capitol that fall under Legislative control. Masking rules only apply to committee meetings if the chairman orders them.
The Capitol mask rule has been a point of contention for some lawmakers. In a highly publicized confrontation, the Reps. Karla Rose Hanson and LaurieBeth Hager, both Fargo Democrats, asked the now expelled Rep. Luke Simons, R-Dickinson, to put on a mask while waiting for food. Simons responded with a swearing response that the leaders denounced as inappropriate and unprofessional. The House removed Simons from his chair earlier this month due to a series of sexual harassment charges.