Amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases across the U.S. due to the omicron variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced some recent changes to coronavirus guidelines on Dec. 27. While one would assume the recommendations would be stricter given the surge in cases, the announcement came as a shock to many because the CDC instead shortened the recommended isolation and quarantine period for people with COVID-19.
“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 its statement Tuesday.
The CDC cut the quarantine time period from 10 to five days just as the U.S. hit a record seven-day average of more than 265,000 cases on Tuesday, Dec. 28, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
In its announcement, the CDC linked to research and science that supported their argument that 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.” However, many Americans are still shocked at the recommendation given the number of people who continue to spread the virus by refusing to get vaccinated or quarantine. It seems that instead of encouraging them to do better for the nation’s safety, the CDC gave in to them. Additionally, debates have been spurred in which some accused the CDC of being more concerned for airlines and profits than people and public health.
As serious as the announcement is, people on Twitter did what they do best: They flooded the social media platform with “CDC says” and “CDC recommends” tweets and memes. Of course, these tweets were all filled with counterproductive and awful advice.
Here are some of the most popular ones.
Do you have any of your own “CDC says” or “CDC recommends” favorites? Drop them below.
But jokes aside: Staying safe is important. Click here to find an appointment near you if you need to be vaccinated or need the booster.
“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 its statement Tuesday.
The CDC cut the quarantine time period from 10 to five days just as the U.S. hit a record seven-day average of more than 265,000 cases on Tuesday, Dec. 28, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
In its announcement, the CDC linked to research and science that supported their argument that 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.” However, many Americans are still shocked at the recommendation given the number of people who continue to spread the virus by refusing to get vaccinated or quarantine. It seems that instead of encouraging them to do better for the nation’s safety, the CDC gave in to them. Additionally, debates have been spurred in which some accused the CDC of being more concerned for airlines and profits than people and public health.
As serious as the announcement is, people on Twitter did what they do best: They flooded the social media platform with “CDC says” and “CDC recommends” tweets and memes. Of course, these tweets were all filled with counterproductive and awful advice.
Here are some of the most popular ones.
The CDC now recommends ignoring the red flags and texting him anyway
— Relatable Resident (@relatableafmd) December 28, 2021
The CDC recommends bringing the giant wooden horse into the city, it seems nice
— Classical Studies Memes for Hellenistic Teens (@CSMFHT) December 29, 2021
the CDC announced that i don't have to tell anyone else in the group that a zombie bit me a few miles back
— i bless the rains down in castamere (@Chinchillazllla) December 28, 2021
The CDC just announced you don’t actually have to wash your hands, just get the fingies a little wet
— Ariel Dumas (@ArielDumas) December 28, 2021
The CDC now says a venti iced coffee and two ibuprofen is a balanced breakfast.
— Shailin Thomas (@shailinthomas) December 28, 2021
CDC says when you've reached the center of a Tootsie Pop, your quarantine is over.
— Algonquin K Farquhar, Esq (@buddhatree) December 28, 2021
The CDC says you can stop isolating if “the vibes are off”
— Luke Mones (@LukeMones) December 28, 2021
Don’t worry y’all. The CDC says we can put a pin on this and circle back later.
— Shematologist, MD (@acweyand) December 28, 2021
The CDC says you can now run with scissors.
— ?️? Cat Herding Science Nerd ? (@catladyactivist) December 28, 2021
CDC guidance says "thoughts and prayers" really do work.
— Chaplain C, *External Coughing* (@TheRealRhllor) December 28, 2021
cdc says you can now die 5 days after watching the tape from the ring instead of 7
— dave horwitz (@Dave_Horwitz) December 28, 2021
The CDC says that the 5 second rule has been changed to 15 seconds. Pick that cookie up off the floor.
— Coll is Colling ?? (@BookSyrup) December 28, 2021
CDC recommends splitting up your quarantine over your two 15min breaks
— Zak Toscani (@zak_toscani) December 27, 2021
The CDC says you can now ask “what are we” after 5 dates.
— Alexandra Bucky Variant Chaos Magic Anderson (@AlexAndersonMD) December 28, 2021
The CDC just announced that it is okay to text your ex “Happy New Year, just thinking about you ” at 12:01am on January 1st.
— Samantha Weiner (@SamanthaWeiner1) December 28, 2021
CDC says if your boss calls you gotta answer, even if it's the weekend
— peter pan (@panndder) December 28, 2021
The CDC just announced you can walk right up to bin of carrots at the grocery store and start eatin outta there like a horse
— Ariel Dumas (@ArielDumas) December 28, 2021
the cdc said you should go back to him because he said it won’t happen again and got you flowers also you’re getting older now and it’s going to be hard to find another boyfriend
— youngmi mayer (@ymmayer) December 28, 2021
the CDC says it's not omicron unless it comes from the Omicrônne region of France, otherwise it's just sparkling covid
— mike cella (@mikeVcella) December 28, 2021
the CDC just announced you can fill a theme park with dinosaurs again if you really learned your lesson last time
— silent nate, holy nate (@MNateShyamalan) December 28, 2021
Do you have any of your own “CDC says” or “CDC recommends” favorites? Drop them below.
But jokes aside: Staying safe is important. Click here to find an appointment near you if you need to be vaccinated or need the booster.