CDC Reverses Guidelines on Coronavirus Transmission, Updates on COVID-19 Vaccines and Disinfectants

Strategic Insights -

In a sudden move, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed new guidelines from its website suggesting that the new coronavirus can be transmitted by tiny droplets over a distance greater than six feet. The updated guidelines, which were posted on Friday but removed on Monday, emphasized the importance of indoor ventilation in preventing the spread of the virus. According to scientists and independent public health experts, the virus is airborne and transmitted through tiny droplets that hang in the air for longer periods than larger droplets produced by coughing or sneezing. The now-deleted guidelines also stated that indoor environments without good ventilation increase the risk of airborne transmission.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CDC removed new guidelines from its website that suggested the new coronavirus can be transmitted by tiny droplets over a distance greater than six feet, citing it as a website error and not reflecting the current state of knowledge.
  • The deleted guidelines matched the findings of many scientists and independent public health experts, emphasizing that the virus is airborne and transmitted through tiny droplets.
  • The guidelines stated that indoor environments without good ventilation increase the risk of airborne transmission of the virus.
  • The CDC did not suggest any new action to reduce the threat of airborne transmission of the new coronavirus.
  • Experts expressed concerns that the deleted guidelines might have led to public behavior and policy changes, and that a major change in the agency's stance was necessary to reduce transmission.

Statistics:

  • 10 minutes: the amount of time it takes for Pine-Sol, an EPA-approved disinfectant, to kill the new coronavirus on frequently used surfaces.
  • 50%: AstraZeneca's goal for the effectiveness of its coronavirus vaccine, according to the released protocol.
  • 3: the number of cases of serious neurological illnesses in AstraZeneca's clinical trial participants in Britain.

Sources:

  • CDC: [https://www.cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov)
  • Washington Post: [https://www.washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com)
  • Clorox Company news release, CNN: [https://www.cnn.com](https://www.cnn.com)
  • The New York Times: [https://www.nytimes.com](https://www.nytimes.com)