Congress announced Thursday morning that it will shut down all offices in the Capitol, House, and Senate to the public until April 1st due to concerns over the coronavirus.
The House and Senate Sergeant at Arms made a joint statement to that effect. Only lawmakers, press, staff, and official visitors are allowed in congressional offices now, thus shutting out the public and voters altogether.
The move signals DC panic over the spread of a virus that so far has had a negligible public health impact on the nation, but a massive psychological effect. It also spares the Congress increased public scrutiny over their actions in regards to fighting the virus.
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The White House is closed to public tours and the president has also taken common sense precautions against the spreading of the disease.
This will only amplify the panic amongst certain members of the public and media prone to drama queen hysteria and thus make more full the coffers of companies profiting greatly from the elevated public angst over the virus.
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