The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been confusing Americans for months about what to do to stay safe and disease-free during the …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been confusing Americans for months about what to do to stay safe and disease-free during the coronavirus pandemic. From the early days of the outbreak and the CDCs flawed testing strategy, to an about-face on mask wearing, and its shelving of proper guidance for reopening businesses and schools, almost nothing the agency has recommended during the pandemic has been clear or unwavering. Earlier this week, the agency again confused public health experts and lay-people alike when it changed course on testing recommendations for the coronavirus. The CDC had previously maintained that “testing is recommended for all close contacts” of people who have a confirmed case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. According to the agency’s current best estimates,40% of COVID-19 cases may be asymptomatic and asymptomatic patients are about 75% as infectious as symptomatic patients, so they can get others sick. However, in a shift to its nationwide guidance on Monday, the agency said that “you do not necessarily need a test,” for COVID-19 unless you are symptomatic, with tell-tale signs of the virus, like a fever, headache, or cough — even if you’ve been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed coronavirus infection. On Wednesday, CDC Director Robert Redfield unofficially walked back the change after uproar from health departments and scientists, saying that “testing may be considered for all close contacts of confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients.” But the damage to the agency’s scientific credibility had already been done, and a former head of the CDC says it’s indicative of a clear and problematic shift for the agency, which until now, has operated with a fair degree of scientific autonomy from higher-ups in Washington DC. Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention speaks while U.
