A Socially Distanced Senate

<p>The congressional doctor expressed reservations about whether it was safe for the House and Senate to reconvene. Instead, only senators have returned to Capitol Hill, bringing our new normal — elbow bumps, masks and sanitizer — with them. So why was one chamber so determined to portray its members as essential workers in the pandemic? Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/nicholas-fandos?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">Nicholas Fandos</a>, who covers Congress for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>With the Senate back in session, masked lawmakers, hushed corridors and socially distanced news conferences and hearings gave an<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/us/politics/coronavirus-senators-capitol-hill.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> eerie feel to the Capitol Hill routine</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/us/politics/john-ratcliffe-intelligence-director-confirmation-hearing.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">The confirmation hearing</a> for Representative John Ratcliffe, the president’s pick to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies, was the first to employ social distancing rules for senators since the coronavirus pandemic took hold.</li></ul>