Evidently, a worldwide epidemic and the fact Congress is spending billions of dollars for the United States to be prepared for it is a laughing matter for Matt Gaetz.

Gaetz, a two-term representative from Florida, showed up Wednesday on the House floor wearing a gas mask during a vote for the emergency spending bill.

Rep. Matt Gaetz wearing a gas mask on the House floor during coronavirus funding vote https://t.co/URPlWtlWt1 pic.twitter.com/XgycdWkwrl

— Roll Call (@rollcall) March 4, 2020

“Reviewing the coronavirus supplemental appropriation and preparing to go vote,” Gaetz cheekily tweeted before the vote, including a photo of himself wearing the mask.

Reviewing the coronavirus supplemental appropriation and preparing to go vote. pic.twitter.com/wjJ4YY4VZz

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 4, 2020

Gaetz, a Republican, said he wore the mask because he wanted to be conscious about spreading germs.

“Members of Congress are human petri dishes,” he said. “We fly through the dirtiest airports. We touch everyone we meet.”

A statement from Gaetz’s office added, “If there’s anybody that’s going to get coronavirus it’s going to be the United States Congress. House rules do not explicitly allow medical headgear even at this time of heightened concern. This is a rule that should be revisited.”

You won’t believe the shoes Matt Gaetz is wearing today. #FloridaMan pic.twitter.com/VmFN7t0fjq

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) March 4, 2020

The House passed the $8.3 billion emergency spending bill to fight the novel coronavirus. The Senate could act on the legislation as soon as Thursday. President Trump is expected to sign it.

The vote passed 415 to 2, with Gaetz voting in favor with most of his Republican and Democratic colleagues.

The virus has sickened over 95,000 worldwide, and has killed more than 3,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.

As of Wednesday evening, there have been 150 cases of the coronavirus confirmed in the United States that has resulted in 11 deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not confirmed any cases in Washington, D.C., but three cases have been confirmed in Gaetz’s home state.

153 people in the USA have contracted the virus and 11 people have died and you think making fun of it is a good idea?

Good Lord.#TrumpLiesAboutCoronavirus #MoronAVirus pic.twitter.com/PaRsC2tKGw

— D Villella ❄️ (@dvillella) March 4, 2020

Matt Gaetz, our most normal member of Congress, is wearing a full-on gas mask on the House floor right now, being super normal

— Addy Baird (@addysbaird) March 4, 2020

1. Let's talk again about what an idiot @mattgaetz is. Gas masks and C-95 respirators do not protect against respiratory viruses. (Check FDA & CDC on this.) The virus is not airborne. It is on water droplets that get on your hands. Gaetz may as well be wearing a halloween mask... pic.twitter.com/unmMsLFV6l

— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) March 4, 2020

Matt Gaetz wearing gas mask on the House floor: pic.twitter.com/dbUQjxv0eX

— Carolyn from Maryland (@carolyn_from) March 4, 2020

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