We at CEA send healing wishes to Congresswoman Jahana Hayes and her staff who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Hayes family was already directly affected by COVID earlier this year when Hayes’ husband tested positive for the virus.
Congresswoman Hayes had canceled all in-person events for months and only recently began a phased-in reopening of her offices. She reports she is experiencing labored breathing, has a fever, and will quarantine for 14 days.
Hayes and some of her staff who were exposed to another staff member who had tested positive had trouble getting tested in a timely manner. Hayes said she went to two urgent care centers before finally getting an appointment at a third site.
“My experience and the experience of my staff underscore the need for a national testing strategy with a coherent way to receive speedy, accurate results,” Hayes said. “This level of anxiety and uncertainty is untenable.”
“We wish Congresswoman Hayes and any of her staff who are also ill a speedy recovery,” said CEA President Jeff Leake. “CEA has repeatedly called for better access to COVID-19 testing with rapid results, which is vital for keeping our students and educators as well as their family members healthy and safe.”
