Notre Dame President Who Went Maskless at SCOTUS Announcement Also Tests Positive for COVID-19
Rev. John I. Jenkins apologized this week after photos surfaced of him shaking hands at the Rose Garden event without wearing a mask.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/Getty
The president of the University of Notre Dame—who apologized earlier this week for not wearing a mask to the White House ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Saturday—has tested positive for the coronavirus. “During self-quarantine this week, University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, CSC, learned that a colleague with whom he has been in regular contact tested positive for COVID-19,” a statement sent to the Notre Dame community said. “Fr. Jenkins was tested and found to be positive for COVID-19 too. As a result, he is entering an extended period of isolation as indicated by University medical personnel and county health officials.” Jenkins said his “symptoms are mild,” and he “will continue work from home.”
The university president was criticized for shaking hands with people at the Saturday Rose Garden event for the Supreme Court nominee and not wearing a mask. In an apology letter, he said that the guests had been given rapid COVID-19 tests. It’s unclear when he contracted the virus.
BREAKING: Notre Dame President Fr. John Jenkins, who was at the WH SCOTUS announcement on Saturday and was criticized for not wearing a mask and shaking hands, has tested positive for COVID-19.
— Jack Jenkins (@jackmjenkins) October 2, 2020
This was just sent out to the campus.
Unclear if he had it during the WH event. pic.twitter.com/2cR4eaVMzb
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.