(Updated to include reaction from governor; new response from the speaker)
House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. on Thursday revealed that he had been diagnosed and hospitalized last month with COVID-19.
In a letter first reported by the Sunflower State Journal, Ryckman told House Republicans about the diagnosis.
“Some of us have friends and family who have tested positive over the course of this pandemic, while others have yet to personally know someone affected by the infection.
“I want you to hear from me that I was among those to test positive for COVID. I was hospitalized, have followed doctor’s orders, and self-isolated during that time. I am now past what doctors consider the contagious stage and am on the road to recovery.”
He added, “I know that I’ve been fortunate, and I am thankful that my family tested negative. While my experience slowed life down in our house for several weeks, it has not slowed my determination to help move our state forward with you.
“Until there is a better way to fight this infection, we must continue to look out for each other and all of the ways our state and our families are affected by this pandemic.
“This means protecting individual freedoms, re-opening our economy and protecting the health of our communities. I look forward to working with you on those priorities — and the many other priorities you are hearing about from your constituents.”
Ryckman said he tested positive for the virus the week of July 13 and was hospitalized for a week. He did not know how he contracted the infection.
He didn’t return to the Capitol until July 29 for the State Finance Council meeting after he had been cleared by a physician.
Gov. Laura Kelly, a member of the State Finance Council, criticized the speaker’s actions.
“Speaker Ryckman’s decision to attend the State Finance Council meeting after being released from the hospital, while concealing his diagnosis from those of us in the room and taking his mask off, was reckless and dangerous,” Kelly said in a statement.
“As elected officials, we have a unique responsibility to set the right example for the people of Kansas, and to follow the commonsense guidance from medical experts.
“While I’m dismayed by his actions, I wish Speaker Ryckman good health and I’m glad he’s on the road to recovery.”
Ryckman said he took the medical precautions necessary before returning, including complying with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.
“I understand that the unknowns around COVID make people uncomfortable, that’s why I listened to my doctor for my medical care and clearance before end(ing) self isolating” Ryckman said.
Late Thursday night, Ryckman called the governor’s response to his bout with the coronavirus, “nothing short of fear mongering and public shaming.”
He emphasized that he followed state health department guidelines that said that anyone with a confirmed case needs to remain in isolation for 10 days from the onset of the symptoms. He said he was in isolation for 16 days.
The state health department also says that someone with a confirmed case of the virus says someone can leave isolation 72 hours after a fever has subsided without medicine and the symptoms have significantly improved.
“The governor needs to stop playing politics and stop causing confusion about what has been clear guidance from” state health officials, he said.
In June, a staff member of the Kansas Legislature had tested positive for the coronavirus and self-quarantined at home.
The staffer had been working from home since after officials were notified that both of the individual’s parents had tested positive for the virus.
As of Wednesday, there had been 29,717 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kansas from 103 counties with 368 deaths.
House Democrats late Thursday tweeted criticism of the speaker for showing up at the State Finance Council meeting without informing Democrats of the infection.
“This is disturbing and GROSSLY irresponsible,” the House Democrats tweeted.
