Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) has become the first governor to test positive for the coronavirus.
During a press briefing with local reporters, Stitt shared his reaction to the positive test results, which he received on Tuesday, admitting that the diagnosis was shocking to learn of.
“I feel fine,” Stitt said, admitting that he also felt “little achy” before adding, “I was pretty shocked that I was the first governor to get it.”
Stitt went on to encourage anyone with symptoms to get tested as soon as possible. However, he also noted that he is “not thinking about a mask mandate at all.”
While the Republican governor did acknowledge that coronavirus is a growing problem in Oklahoma, he made it clear that he wants to avoid Americans having to go “back in the bunker” for months.
Stitt’s test results came the day he chaired a meeting at the Commissioners of the Land Office attended by Rep. Mark McBride (R-Okla.) and three out of five commission members.
At the time, Stitt did not wear a mask and those who attended have not been required to quarantine as of yet, according to Fox News.
Great to be on the phone with @VP to discuss the latest updates on #COVID19 in our nation.
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) July 13, 2020
We still need all Oklahomans to do their part to slow the spread of this virus. Please take personal responsibility to protect yourself, your family, & our most vulnerable from this virus. pic.twitter.com/1TaRKTOY89
Weeks prior to testing positive for coronavirus, Stitt attended President Donald Trump’s campaign rally at the BOK Arena in Tulsa, Okla.
With many of the 6,200 attendees not wearing masks, Oklahoma’s Health Commissioner Lance Frye insists the rally was too long ago for the governor to have contracted the virus there. But the exposure to the virus could have been anytime over the past two weeks.
Based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) findings regarding coronavirus transmission, the governor likely contracted the virus within the last 14 days.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there are more than 3.5 million known coronavirus cases in the United States, including 22,813 cases in the state of Oklahoma.
Despite testing positive for the coronavirus, Stitt insists he does not regret his decision not to wear a mask.
