BISMARCK — A second member of the North Dakota House of Representatives has tested positive for COVID-19 after legislative leaders ended the mask requirement on the House and Senate floors.
Rep. Cynthia Schreiber-Beck confirmed to Forum News Service that she received a positive result before heading to the Capitol on Tuesday morning, March 16. The Wahpeton Republican said she had barely any symptoms and she doesn't know how she contracted the virus.
Schreiber-Beck also confirmed that her roommate, Grand Forks GOP Rep. Emily O'Brien, left the Capitol on Tuesday morning and was seeking a COVID-19 test after getting word of Schreiber-Beck's positive result.
A day prior, Rep. David Monson, R-Osnabrock, said he tested positive for the virus and left the Capitol with mild cold-like symptoms.
Monday was the first day lawmakers had the option to forgo wearing a mask or face shield on the Senate and House floors, and most members took advantage of the rule change. Only about 30 lawmakers donned masks during the floor sessions Monday, while the rest of their colleagues opted for a bare face. Schreiber-Beck and O'Brien were among the few Republicans who wore masks.
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Top Republicans backed the relaxing of the mask requirement because COVID-19 cases have significantly dropped in North Dakota and many lawmakers have been vaccinated against the virus. Legislative leaders have the power to reinstitute the mask rule on lawmakers if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs, but House Majority Leader Chet Pollert, R-Carrington, said there is no defined number of positive tests that would prompt restoration of the policy.
Grand Forks Sen. Ray Holmberg and Jamestown Sen. Terry Wanzek have long since recovered from the virus after announcing positive tests in December and January.
