In case you worried that I was losing my edge for praising the safety precautions set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just yesterday… well, here I go about to yell at them again.
As I’ve told you before, I have a very love/hate relationship with this organization. And let me just say: I especially despise them for the doozy of a story I’ll be sharing with you today.
It alleges they deleted critical information on the spread of COVID-19, just days after sharing such updates on their website…
Six feet… or farther?
According to reports, the CDC had updated its public information on coronavirus spread to acknowledge the special prominence of aerosol transmission.
Which makes sense—like the flu, COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, and a prime way these infections spread is through aerosol droplets. But somehow, the CDC must have forgotten that their role is to protect the American health—and chose to dial back this information instead.
As it currently stands, their information still states that COVID-19 commonly spreads between two people within six feet of each other. And you’ll probably recognize that’s been their stance for months now.
In the past, the CDC has stated that the virus spreads “mainly” within this six-feet distance, via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The idea was that most people got sick because these droplets were close enough to land in your mouth or nose, or to be inhaled into your lungs.
But what you won’t find on their website is the short-lived but very critical update to this statement. At least, not in its original form.
This update stated that the virus transmits “through respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. These particles can be inhaled into the nose, mouth, airways, and lungs and cause infection.”
It also stated that: “There is growing evidence that droplets and airborne particles can remain suspended in the air and be breathed in by others, and travel distances beyond six feet (for example, during choir practice, in restaurants, or in fitness classes).”
So what did they delete? Most notably, this little tidbit: “This is thought to be the main way the virus spreads.” And, well… especially given yesterday’s conversation about restaurant safety, I would say that’s pretty critical information to help protect the public’s health during this ongoing crisis.
A despicable decision
And if all that wasn’t bad enough, allow me to point out that this isn’t some fresh-off-the-presses hypothetical finding.
In fact, the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases published a paper called “It Is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of Coronavirus Disease 2019” all the way back in the beginning of July. And its conclusions have the support of nearly 250 scientists.
Needless to say, I’m not the only healthcare professional who is worried and alarmed by the CDC’s little “switcheroos.” Because at this point, we’re looking at a pattern.
Withholding information, and then massaging the facts to fit political opinions, has been a problem since the very start of this nightmare. And it looks like the subterfuge continues—the CDC pulled this stunt without warning or explanation, clearly hoping that it just wouldn’t be noticed.
The worst part? It undermines the credibility of all of the absolutely vital recommendations they continue to make—including social distancing, wearing a mask, and routine handwashing and surface disinfection.
(They’ve also added the use of air purifiers to the list—which I think is a great idea, and have since installed them in both my office and home.)
No matter how you slice or dice this issue, we’re looking at yet another prime example of the CDC kowtowing to government pressure. It’s a despicable decision that puts your life and the lives of your loved ones at further risk, when we’re already facing a relentless death toll of over 205,000 here in the U.S., as of this writing.
Everyone involved ought to hang their heads in shame—and hand in their resignations.
P.S. Despite the wavering recommendations by the CDC, but top immune health recommendations have not changed. And you can learn all about them—and how to support a strong immune system—in my Complete Guide to Year-Round Immunity. To gain access to this vital, comprehensive report, click here now!
Source:
“CDC Adds Then Retracts Aerosols as Main COVID-19 Mode of Transmission.” Medscape Medical News, 09/21/2020. (medscape.com/viewarticle/937765)