Looks like progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and hard-right Sen. Ted Cruz just found something else to agree on: advice for avoiding the spread of the coronavirus.
Cruz (R-Texas) on Saturday shared coronavirus precautions that were tweeted by Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and applauded her “good advice”:
Ocasio-Cortez’s warning was posted as governors in several states shuttered restaurants, bars and movie theaters to encourage social distancing. Los Angeles and New York City followed suit Sunday, but allowed restaurants to offer take-out and delivery orders.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) also announced that New York City schools would close on Monday until at least April 20, and possibly for the rest of the year.
Cruz announced on Friday that he will extend his self-quarantine until March 17 after “a second interaction” with an individual who tested positive for coronavirus.
Cruz and Ocasio-Cortez’s words align with advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has recommended that all gatherings of 50 people or more be canceled or postponed for the next eight weeks in a bid to slow community spread of COVID-19.
Although Cruz and Ocasio-Cortez have previously butted heads online, they’ve also exchanged some friendly tweets. Last year they seemed to agree on the need to block former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists.
Bipartisanship in the coronavirus crisis allowed the House to pass an economic relief package last week that includes provisions for free coronavirus testing and paid sick leave. The Senate will take up the bill this week.
Twitter commentators noted the significance of Cruz’s embrace of Ocasio-Cortez’s advice in light of their differences: