Making Sense of the CDC’s Coronavirus Transmission Confusion
What happened: Over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published guidance on its website that suggested that the virus that causes Covid-19 is mainly spread through the air. The agency’s site said that the virus is spread through “respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes.” The particles can be inhaled, and the agency said “this is thought to be the main way the virus spreads.” However, on Monday, these changes were removed and there was an editor note that said: “A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency’s official website.” The CDC note says that when its final version is finalized the language with be updated.
Why it’s an issue: The changes may create confusion among the general public over how the virus spreads. As the New York Times recently reported, there’s growing tension at the agency over coronavirus guidance being published to the CDC website. In many cases the guidance is not vetted by the CDC’s scientists, the Times reports.
So… how is the virus spread? The World Health Organization has acknowledged the potential for aerosol transmission of the virus but, as the Times reports, there’s some disagreement over the importance of aerosol transmission compared to larger respiratory droplets that are spread through sneezing or coughing. For a great explainer on the most likely way a person might get Covid-19, check out the story below from Elemental senior writer Dana Smith.
