Rick Scott tests positive for COVID-19

Image via AP..

U.S. Senator Rick Scott revealed Friday that he tested positive for COVID-19. Scott turns 68-years-old on Dec. 1.

“After several negative tests, I learned I was positive for COVID-19 this AM. I’m feeling good & experiencing very mild symptoms. I’ll be working from home until it’s safe for me to return to DC. I remind everyone to be careful & do the right things to protect yourselves & others,” Scott tweeted Friday morning.

After several negative tests, I learned I was positive for COVID-19 this AM. I’m feeling good & experiencing very mild symptoms. I’ll be working from home until it’s safe for me to return to DC. I remind everyone to be careful & do the right things to protect yourselves & others.

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) November 20, 2020

The Senator offered advice: “Wear a mask. Socially distance. Quarantine if you come in contact with someone positive like I did. We will beat this together, but we all must be responsible. I want to thank all the incredible health care workers who are working around the clock to care for patients.”

Scott received best wishes from an emissary for Venezuelan “interim President” Juan Guaido and from a political ally closer to home, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.

The Senator, prior to announcing his positive test, had been in quarantine for nearly a week after an interaction with someone with the virus Friday night after his return to Florida from a campaign trip.

He was in Cumming, Georgia last Friday afternoon for a rally on behalf of Senate colleagues David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.

Scott, who recently assumed leadership of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, wore a mask for most of the event, except when he was speaking, but the event had nothing to do with the quarantine. Scott said he tested positive after he returned to the Sunshine State after the event in Forsyth County.

Even as he waited out his quarantine, he remained positive, including upbeat language about Florida being “open for business,” despite spiraling rates of transmission suggesting a new and dangerous wave of COVID-19 transmission.

Appearing on the Fox Business Network Tuesday morning, Scott contended that Florida “absolutely” would be “open for business” even as the state and the country struggle through a third wave of the pandemic.

“We’re open for business. We’re going to do this safely. We’re wearing our masks, social distancing,” Scott told host Stuart Varney. “We’re quarantining like I am because I was around someone who tested positive. That’s going on in our state.”