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It isn’t unlike a politician to use a Bible verse to justify an idea or a position. But there was a tweet that caught my eye on Wednesday that incorporated a Bible verse from State Sen. Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids).

Hogg represents Linn County, one of if not the hardest hit Iowa counties by COVID-19. He was one of the earliest legislators in Iowa to call for a pause in the legislative session.

He shared an article on March 12 and highlighted that in 2-4 weeks, the entire world will be in lockdown. He was calling for Iowa to act already on March 14. On March 16, which was the day the legislature worked through what a pause in session would look like, Hogg did not attend.

He retweeted a tweet from reporter Caroline Cummings, who was denied entry into the building when she told screeners she had a bit of a runny nose. Legislators were not mandated to go through that screening, but many did.

“This confirms my decision not to go to the State Capitol today,” Hogg tweeted. “I, too, have a bit of a runny nose, likely seasonal allergies, but better to keep them at home in Cedar Rapids.”

On March 18, he noted an expert who said our “only shot” to avoid worst consequences “is going to national quarantine for 14 days.”

On March 21, Hogg called for a “hard quarantine” starting March 22 in Iowa.

In an interesting series on March 23, Hogg expressed concern that the national deficit hadn’t been trimmed under President Donald Trump. And, he noted, the pandemic is going to make it worse.

On March 25, Hogg said Gov. Kim Reynolds should issue a shelter-in-place order before Iowa has thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths.

On March 31, Hogg said he regrets he didn’t sound the alarm earlier. And that 20 days after he began speaking out, Trump and Reynolds still aren’t providing the action needed from our leaders.

Then, on Wednesday, Hogg tweeted the following:

“On the start of Passover in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wish health and safety for everyone.

“‘None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning’ (Exodus 12:22).”

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