Democrats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives are expressing displeasure with the way Republican majority leadership has handled two members testing positive for COVID-19 shortly after a Wednesday swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol.
Rep. Monroe Nichols (D-Tulsa) said he learned about Reps. Tammy Townley (R-Ardmore) and Kevin Wallace (R-Wellston) testing positive on Twitter.
"When I saw the tweet, I was incredibly frustrated that I found out that way," Nichols said. "Whether I'm surprised or not that it happened, we all should know."
"That needs to be communicated to members, and there's really no excuse for not communicating it to us," Nichols said.
Nichols said the amount of Republican representatives at the ceremony not wearing masks was discouraging.
"We're out of ICU beds in Tulsa and in Oklahoma City and all these kind of things, and nothing's really changing. And then we have state legislators who are showing up to the Capitol without a mask on," Nichols said. "People obviously are not taking it seriously. The governor's not taking it seriously. Far too many of my colleagues are not taking it seriously."
Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City) said he found out about his potential exposure to the virus when a reporter called to ask him about it Thursday. He said he's particularly upset about not being informed because his 1-year-old daughter has a severe respiratory condition that's required ICU care in the past, putting her at higher-risk of complications from the disease.
"Seeing my daughter gasp for air is something I never thought I'd have to relive, and I pray that I don't," Dollens said. "But in the situations that we're being forced into, these are possibilities again."
Dollens said the number of lawmakers not wearing masks was startling to him.
"The top leadership can push and ask for personal responsibility, but the swearing-in ceremony was a clear signal that personal responsibility isn't getting it done because people are ignoring it," Dollens said.
A spokesperson for House Speaker Charles McCall declined comment for this story. The governor's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Nichols had a clear message for Stitt and state Republican leaders.
"Wear a damn mask," Nichols said. "Be a leader."
