2 North Carolina Lawmakers Test Positive For COVID After Annual Duck Hunt

Two North Carolina state representatives have tested positive for coronavirus, following a recent duck hunting trip with other state legislators. Both Reps. Brian Turner and Bill Rabon announced on Monday they had tested positive after experiencing cold-like symptoms.

The lawmakers took part in an annual duck hunting trip on Friday (January 15), and Rabon attended the one-day start to the General Assembly session last Wednesday. Since testing positive, they have been reaching out to anyone they have been in close contact with, which potentially includes several lawmakers who participated in the hunt.

"These are some fo the hardest phone calls I have ever had to make," Turner wrote in a Facebook post. "No one wants to be responsible for exposing someone to a potentially deadly disease."

"There was a whole group of us duck hunting," said Rep. Bobby Hannig. "I didn't know [Turner] tested positive, but he was wearing a mask the whole time. ... I don't know anyone more diligent about wearing a mask than Brian Turner."

The news that multiple representatives have tested positive comes amid state leaders' growing concerns about coronavirus cases in the state. While statewide mask mandates and curfews have long been in place, they continue to stress the 3 Ws: Wear a mask, Wait 6 feet apart, and Wash your hands.

"The 3 Ws work, but they work best when everyone does it," said Turner. "My mask protects you, your mask protects me."

Photo: Getty Images


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