Former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams says the public should not follow recent guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Regardless of what CDC says, you really should try to obtain an antigen test (I know- easier said than done) and confirm it’s negative prior to leaving isolation and quarantine,” Adams tweeted.
He added, “There’s not a scientist or doctor I’ve met yet who wouldn’t do this for themselves/ their family.”
Adams said he loves the CDC, explaining, “Grew up wanting to work there and have been one of their most ardent defenders. I never dreamed the day would come when I would advise people NOT to follow their guidance. Breaks my [heart].”
He continued, “But ask any of them. They wouldn’t even follow it for their own family.”
I love the CDC. Grew up wanting to work there and have been one of their most ardent defenders.
— Jerome Adams (@JeromeAdamsMD) December 28, 2021
I never dreamed the day would come when I would advise people NOT to follow their guidance. Breaks my
But ask any of them. They wouldn’t even follow it for their own family. https://t.co/qm1yD4U7pR
The former surgeon general suggested, “Anyone defending this new guidance should be asked directly, would you let your unvaxxed under 5 year old or immune compromised relative attend a gathering where people who tested positive 5 days ago- but wore cloth masks- were in close proximity.”
He argued, at the end of the day, “That’s what this new guidance (without a test out option, AND without any recommendation for N95s/ KN95s) is saying is okay. And I can’t find a single health professional who’d accept that as okay for their family.”
Because at the end of the day, that’s what this new guidance (without a test out option, AND without any recommendation for N95s/ KN95s) is saying is okay. And I can’t find a single health professional who’d accept that as okay for their family.
— Jerome Adams (@JeromeAdamsMD) December 28, 2021
On Monday, the CDC shortened the recommended isolation and quarantine times for people who test positive for the virus and do not have any symptoms.
“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 five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others,” the agency said in a statement.
According to the CDC, “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 five days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for five days to minimize the risk of infecting others.”
On Monday, the U.S. reported more than half a million new COVID-19 cases.
