According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, over 40 individuals at the Capitol including staff and legislators were diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after they adjourned at the beginning of July.
One of those lawmakers is Representative Manly Barton. He has now been hospitalized.
In a post on Facebook by House Appropriations Chairman John Read, he asked people to join with him in prayer for Barton who had been sent to the hospital.
Barton is a Vietnam vet and resides on the coast with his wife Sarah. He has served in the Mississippi Legislature since 2012. He is a member of the Military Order Purple Heart, American Legion, VFW, NRA and East Central Civic Association. He also served as a Jackson County Supervisor for 12 years.
Others who have publicly disclosed their COVID diagnosis are Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn.
According to a spokesperson for Hosemann, “The Lieutenant Governor remains in quarantine and is working from home.”
Other legislators also called for prayers for Barton as he battles the virus.
Please join me in praying for Rep. Manly Barton and his family as he remains hospitalized and in a serious fight against COVID-19. Chairman Barton is a Purple Heart recipient and one of the most truly good people I know. There is no better person in the legislature than Manly. pic.twitter.com/qaJLdcNIaW
— Rep. Kent McCarty (@KentMcCarty) July 16, 2020
Please be in Prayer for my desk mate and friend Representative Manly Barton who is in ICU with the coronavirus.
Manly is the most commonsense and wisest legislator at the Capitol that cares for all the people in our state. He also happens to be a Purple Heart recipient. pic.twitter.com/U4Or65L95U
— Rep Tom Miles (@reptommiles) July 16, 2020
