Washington, the world’s handshake capital, adjusts to life in the coronavirus era
WASHINGTON — When Vice President Mike Pence reached for a handshake on Thursday, Jan Malcolm, Minnesota’s health commissioner, offered him an elbow bump instead.
But not everyone in proximity to Pence, and to President Trump, has been quite so careful. On Monday, two Republican congressmen announced plans to self-quarantine after making contact with an individual who later tested positive for Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. One, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, learned of his exposure Friday while riding with Trump on Air Force One. The same day, the other lawmaker, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, was photographed shaking Trump’s hand.
