A Texas Republican who tested positive for COVID-19 says he "sucked in" the virus when he was moving his mask around.
Representative Louie Gohmert - an anti-mask supporter - was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, during a routine screening at the White House.
"You know, moving the mask around, getting it just right, I'm bound to have put some virus on the mask that I sucked in," he said in an interview with Texas television station KETK.
Gohmert, who was asymptomatic, said he had worn a mask more in the last week or two than in the whole last four months.
"I can't help but think if I hadn't been wearing a mask so much in the last 10 days or so, I really wonder if I would've gotten it."
Gohmert attended Attorney General William Barr's hearing the day before he was tested positive, and was seen numerous times during the day without a mask.
At least two colleagues and several aides who had been in close contact with Gohmert were required to quarantine, according to the New York Times.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi imposed a mandatory mask policy for House floor on Wednesday afternoon after Gohmert was tested positive.
Gohmert told CNN last month that he would only wear a mask if he contracted the virus and was seen on numerous occasions without one.
"I keep being tested and I don't have it," he said in June, "so I'm not afraid of you, but if I get it I'll wear a mask."
Gohmert told KETK on Wednesday that he plans to isolate for 10 days in accordance with guidelines and would wear a mask "religiously" until he is cleared.
