MA GOP leader thinks he received COVID-19 at White Household Hanukkah event

• Massachusetts Republican Condition Committee Vice Chairman Tom Mountain tested optimistic for COVID-19 days after attending a Hanukkah occasion at the White Residence in Washington, DC. 
• Mountain stated he will not know just wherever he contracted COVID-19, but instructed WJAR that he thinks it was likely at the White Home. 
• He stated there were about 100 individuals at the get together, and handful of of them were being wearing masks — which includes himself.
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The vice chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Point out Committee is recovering from COVID-19, which he states he probably contracted at a White Dwelling Hanukkah bash previously this month.

Tom Mountain, who was hospitalized and pretty much set on a ventilator right after testing optimistic for COVID-19, instructed WJAR that when it truly is difficult to know exactly where he contracted the virus, he analyzed positive a few days following heading to the December 9 Hanukkah bash.

“Allows place it this way: When I went down to Washington, DC, for the White Dwelling Hanukkah function, I was flawlessly high-quality,” 60-12 months-outdated Mountain, from Newton, Massachusetts, stated. “And a few days afterwards right after that celebration, I was in the clinic at Brigham and Women’s all set to be place on a lifesaving ventilator.”

The White Dwelling Hanukkah celebration was a person of at the very least 25 indoor holiday break celebrations held this yr, in accordance The Washington Article, and Mountain shared pictures with WJAR exhibiting him posing for a maskless picture in the course of the occasion.

At the time of the bash, public overall health officers were being urging men and women not to gather for get-togethers and celebrations in excess of fears that gatherings could unfold COVID-19.

“I was a single of the naysayers,” Mountain informed WJAR. “I am no longer a naysayer.”

Mountain, who attended the party to characterize the Massachusetts Republican Jewish Committee and wore a “Trump” jacket, stated additional than 100 individuals attended the a few-hour party in Washington, DC, which include President Donald Trump.

“Folks would just leisurely and gingerly just take off their mask to mingle, to schmooze. I really don’t even assume some folks wore masks the complete time,” he explained. “And once more, I was responsible as anybody else. I just wasn’t donning a mask.”

Mountain advised WJAR that after he examined favourable for COVID-19, at least 4 of his quick spouse and children users also contracted the virus.

He informed The Boston Globe that weeks immediately after contracting the virus, he’s however experiencing some COVID-19 signs or symptoms, which includes a cough.

The White Home did not promptly reply to Insider’s ask for for comment.