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Representative David Monson, R-Osnabrock, confirmed to Forum News Service on Monday March 15 that he tested positive for the disease earlier in the morning “after suffering what I thought was a mild cold over the week. -end. ” Monson, a 28-year Legislative Assembly veteran and chair of the House’s Education and Environment Division, electronically logged into the House session on Monday.
Senate and House leaders said they were not aware of any further positive tests on Monday. Grand Forks Senator Ray Holmberg and Jamestown Senator Terry Wanzek recovered from the virus after announcing positive tests in December and January.
Monday was the first day lawmakers were given the opportunity to forgo wearing a mask or face shield on Senate and House floors, and most members took advantage of the rule change.
Representative of North Dakota. David Monson, R-Osnabrock. Photo via the North Dakota Legislature
Only around 30 lawmakers, including the 21 Democrats and a small minority of Republicans, donned masks in Monday’s indoor sessions, while the rest of their colleagues opted for a bare face.
Republican leaders have supported relaxing the mask requirement as COVID-19 cases have declined significantly in North Dakota and many lawmakers have been vaccinated against the virus.
Minority House Leader Josh Boschee said the lack of mask wearing was “certainly concerning,” noting that the masks have been shown to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota. Democrat Fargo, who received his first dose of the vaccine last week, said he was not very worried about catching the virus in the bedroom.
Legislative leaders have the power to restore the mask rule over lawmakers in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak, but House Majority Leader Chet Pollert R-Carrington said there was no no set number of positive tests that would result in policy reinstatement.
When social distancing is not possible, lawmakers should always wear masks or face shields in other common areas of the Capitol that are under the control of the Legislature. The rules relating to masks will only apply to committee meetings if the president gives them the mandate to do so.
The rule of the mask in the Capitol has been a point of contention for some lawmakers. In a high-profile showdown, Reps Karla Rose Hanson and LaurieBeth Hager, both Democrats from Fargo, asked now-expelled Rep Luke Simons R-Dickinson to put on a mask while he waited for food. Simons responded with a swearing response that executives denounced as inappropriate and unprofessional. The House removed Simons from his seat earlier this month over a spate of sexual harassment allegations.
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