State lawmaker who downplayed virus, mocked vaccines contracts COVID-19

Republican Rep. Chris Johansen told a reporter he had the virus despite publically trivializing the severity of the pandemic over the last year.

A Maine state lawmaker who has been vocally opposed to mask-wearing and downplayed the pandemic has reportedly contracted COVID-19.

Republican Rep. Chris Johansen of Monticello admitted to having the virus in a phone call recorded by a reporter for the alternative news site Mainer.

"Listen up. I've got COVID and I'm really sick," Johansen said in the recording.