Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Going Away Party COVID Super Spreader Event

“Did you hear about Lorena Gonzalez’ super spreader event?” a Capitol staffer asked the Globe Thursday.

The Assembly was not able to meet a quorum Thursday morning, which requires that half of the members be present – 40 lawmakers were absent from the Assembly Floor Session today after at least 27 were confirmed, including Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, to having been exposed to COVID at departing Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez’ going away party Tuesday night at the Sheraton Grant Hotel.

Where were the other 13 members needed for a quorum?

Gonzalez announced her resignation from the Assembly on Monday to become the next leader of the California Labor Federation, one of the largest and most influential labor unions in California, later this year.

I am home & have tested negative for Covid. I have no symptoms, am vaccinated, boosted & wore an N95 mask whenever I wasn’t eating or drinking. I will follow CDC guidelines & continue to test.

Oh & thanks @JoshBeckerSV ????- at least you brought me some Selena w/the close contact

— Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (@LorenaSGonzalez) January 6, 2022

Lawmakers attending the event on the second floor lounge claimed they were wearing masks, except when they were drinking. Even Gonzalez confirmed this in a Tweet: “I am home & have tested negative for Covid. I have no symptoms, am vaccinated, boosted & wore an N95 mask whenever I wasn’t eating or drinking. I will follow CDC guidelines & continue to test.”

“That’s a nice way of saying no one was wearing a mask because everyone was drinking,” another Capitol staffer said.

In addition to the absent legislative members, Assembly Sergeants were unable to drive members to the airport as is usual on Thursday following session because they also were exposed and are quarantined. Capitol staffers were making the airport runs instead.

But Wait: Did any of these infected members fly home? Because anyone knowingly exposed to or who has tested positive for COVID, isn’t allowed to fly.

“I bet some Dems decided to fly anyway,” one staffer said.

Interestingly, Assembly members are not mandated to be vaccinated, but most are, according to Capitol insiders. However, all Assembly staff must be vaccinated.

Lorena Gonzalez is really going out with a bang.