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COVID-19 cases are averaging close to 200,000 cases per day due to the aggressive Omicron variant, prompting public health officials to scramble for widespread testing and other mitigating measures. The CDC, one of the leading voices regarding the deadly virus, suggested that COVID-19 isolation be cut from 10 to 5 days, but only if the subject is asymptomatic.
The CDC made an announcement this week that isolation and quarantine time after a positive COVID-19 test can be cut from the formerly routine 10 days to just five. Earlier, it was suggested that healthcare workers could return to work sooner after exposure to the virus, which prompted some pushback last week when that instruction was first announced. However, this latest missive from the CDC widens that approach.
From the CDC:
Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after. Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for 5 days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others.
Despite the use of the term “asymptomatic,” many are looking at this decision from the science agency as a ploy to get workers back online and keep the economy roaring, not based on science or evidence. With vaccines going wide and widespread testing being made available in home kits by President Joe Biden’s administration, there seems to be a concerted effort to get ahead of the current Omicron surge.
On Twitter, folks seized on the CDC’s messaging with jokes and related sobering thoughts. We’ve collected those reactions below.
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Photo: Getty
1.
the cdc is just like uhhhh yeah it's totally up to you, I'm honestly down for whatever
— Allison O'Conor (@allisonoconor) December 27, 2021
3.
the cdc cutting quarantine time in half is like when a child is drawing on your walls so you give them finger paint
— Adam (@adamgreattweet) December 28, 2021
5.
There is no explanation for the CDC decreasing the isolation time for COVID (+) Healthcare workers besides capitalism plain and simple
— WURR YA MASS
(@temafudge) December 24, 2021
6.
The CDC says if nurses run out of wipes we can just lick patients and equipment clean. It will help build our immune systems.
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(@nurse_charming) December 27, 2021
8.
The CDC just announced you don’t actually have to wash your hands, just get the fingies a little wet
— Ariel Dumas (@ArielDumas) December 28, 2021
11.
we're about a month from the CDC saying "good luck bitch lmao"
— Seph ReadMyPinned Hartfield
(@SephWritesBadly) December 28, 2021
12.
In case this wasn’t obvious to you all, the CDC’s new recommendation to shorten the quarantine period from 10 to 5 days is a business decision, not a public health decision.
— Brian MD (@bone00afide) December 27, 2021
13.
SCIENTISTS: People are contagious for 10 days
CORPORATIONS: [sliding the CDC a $20]
THE CDC: So people can stop isolating after 5 days
SCIENTISTS: what
THE CDC: Remember, we're all -working together- to end the pandemic
— Roxi Horror
(@roxiqt) December 27, 2021
14.
The CDC just announced that they can't finish if they're wearing a condom but they have a really low sperm count so it's no big deal not to use one.
— Josh Gondelman (@joshgondelman) December 28, 2021
15.
For example, every media outlet should include that Delta CEO Ed Bastain asked the CDC to reduce the recommended quarantine time from 10 days to 5 for vaccinated people because of workforce impact. That’s not a health decision. The media needs to frame it that way every time.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 28, 2021