Ashley Hinson has COVID for second time

Eastern Iowa’s congresswoman tested positive for coronavirus this week despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, in her second bout with the respiratory illness.

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson said on her weekly phone call with members of the press Friday morning she started “experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms” Thursday afternoon, took a rapid test and learned she had COVID-19.

“I feel like I have a bad cold now,” the 1st District Republican said. “I’m just gonna get enough rest, continue working when I can.”

Her illness was a breakthrough infection, as she noted she was “fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.” She added she was isolating and working remotely, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“I’m not going to let this hold me back, and I’m looking forward to working in person again very soon,” she said.

It’s not the first bout of COVID-19 for the freshman congresswoman, who also tested positive shortly after being elected to Congress in November 2020, before being eligible for vaccination.

“I guess I’m just lucky; I got it twice,” she said. “I’m getting through it.”

Hinson has steadfastly encouraged vaccination, publicly announcing her own vaccination and booster shots. But she noted she was happy about a recent Supreme Court decision barring President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for large employers.

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 should be a personal decision; it shouldn’t be a government mandate,” Hinson said, saying she’s heard from “countless Iowans worried about these mandates.”

She also said she was disappointed the court allowed a similar mandate for health care workers to stand.

“Health care workers should not be forced to sit on the sidelines,” Hinson said.