Republican senators were alarmed and relieved when they learned that their colleague Sen. Joni Ernst had choked during a party lunch on Thursday and was rescued by Sen. Rand Paul, who gave her the Heimlich maneuver.

Ernst appeared to be making jokes about the experience on social media, tweeting, “Can’t help but choke on the woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats. Thanks @randpaul!”

“I didn’t actually see it,” said Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican of Texas. “We’ve had that happen one other time to one of our members. It’s kind of scary.”

Thank God. We almost had a tragedy. Imagine losing two American heroes in one day.

Thank you for your service, Mr. Paul.

In the queue of about 130 people, only 20 are male. Men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave Ukraine unless they qualify for an exemption. Four of those waiting are young lads who look close to turning 18. To avoid the risk of mobilisation, they must leave before then. Of course, some men find ways to get out anyway, legally or illegally. On August 11th President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he was sacking the heads of the country’s regional military recruitment centres, where officials were alleged to be selling travel permits for up to $10,000. “Bribery during war is treason,” Mr Zelensky railed.

In the initial period after the invasion most men trying to get across were driven by fear, says Colonel Trachuk. Now she reckons half are looking for work. But those trying to escape military service must live at risk of being apprehended by recruitment officers and press-ganged. At the beginning of the invasion Ivan, a 42-year-old musician in Uzhhorod, contemplated enlisting, but changed his mind when he saw coffins arriving. Now, he says, he is in constant fear of being called up: “I feel like I am hanging in the air.”

Yehiel Indore, the man in question, was released to house arrest two days ago.