The way COVID-19 spreads remains a confusing and unknown topic for all.
On Monday, Sept. 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deleted potential new information on the transmission of the virus through droplets.
“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 6 feet,” the now-removed guidance said according to USA Today.
The Washington Post reported that the content included different information discussing the sizes of the droplets.
“Where the agency previously warned that the virus mostly spreads through large drops encountered at close range, on Friday, it had said ‘small particles, such as those in aerosols’ were a common vector,” the Post said.
In an interview with the Post, the CDC’s deputy director for infectious disease Jay Butler reported that the information should not have been posted.
“Unfortunately, an early draft of a revision went up without any technical review,” Butler said.
The CDC website now has a green banner announcement on the page entitled “How COVID-19 Spreads” due to the error.
“A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency’s official website,” the announcement said. “CDC is currently updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Once this process has been completed, the update language will be posted.”
Before the change, many scientists were excited about the update because if it is published again after further investigation, it brings new insight into treating and explaining the transmission of COVID-19.
“It means that nationally we need to do something about [transmission] beyond 6 feet, which means masks and ventilation and filtration,” Linsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering who researches airborne transmission at Virginia Tech, said in an interview with National Public Radio. “And if we do that, I think we can get a better control on the spread of the virus.”
