CDC Director Walensky Says Shortening Isolation Guidance Was Partly Due To What Americans Could ‘Tolerate’
The Daily Caller
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Wednesday that new guidance shortening the isolation time for asymptomatic, COVID-positive individuals was determined based on “what we thought people would be able to tolerate.”
The CDC announced Monday that it was shortening the recommended isolation period from 10 days to 5 days for asymptomatic Americans positive for COVID-19. Following the five-day isolation period, the CDC added a recommendation of mask-wearing while around others for an additional five days.
The CDC, in its press release announcing the changes, said it was “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.”
Walensky mentioned “the science” again on Wednesday before elaborating on the rationale behind changing the guidance.
