New Arlington council member Ruby Faye Woolridge tests positive for COVID-19
After testing positive for coronavirus in early January, Arlington Districit 6 City council member Ruby Faye Woolridge urged others to get tested frequently and sign up for the vaccine.
Woolridge, who was elected in November to Arlington City Council District 6, said Friday she isn’t sure when or from where she may have come in contact with the virus. Her only outings since visiting with constituents during the election have been to the grocery store and to City Council orientations.
However, Woolridge began experiencing what felt like a sinus infection Dec. 31. She got tested Jan. 5 and received a positive result the next day.
She said she’s feeling better after following her doctor’s orders to rest, drink plenty of fluids, take an antibiotic and over-the-counter medicine for symptoms.
“I am like a walking medicine cabinet,” Woolridge said with a laugh.
Her doctor also urged her to rest instead of attending Tuesday’s City Council meetings, despite Woolridge’s resolve to tune into the online sessions.
“Everything in me said I was going to be on Zoom so I can do it, and (the doctor) was understanding that my body needed to be resting, following her instructions,” Woolridge said.
While Woolridge quarantined and recovered, neighbors, supporters, family and friends delivered office supplies and food to her doorstep. She received advice from fellow Council members, Fire Department officials overseeing city testing and vaccinations and state officials as she tried to get work done while recovering.
“They have rallied around me in such a way,” Woolridge said. “I’ve been humbled by the outpouring of love and support. When you’re sick, you need it.”
Bob Ray Sanders with the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce first announced Woolridge’s recovery Friday afternoon.. The first-term council member shared her recovery and urged people to take precautions.
“It’s better to find out and deal with it then be walking around sick and not know what’s going on,” Woolridge said.
Woolridge is the second Arlington elected official to share they’ve tested positive for COVID-19. Mayor Jeff Williams acknowledged he recovered from the virus on a Jan. 7 Facebook live video.
This story was originally published January 15, 2021 at 3:33 PM.
