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CDC suddenly retracts new guidance stating most coronavirus is transmitted by breathing


Studies have proven when we sneeze, we potentially spray jets of what appear to be galaxies of tiny droplets and particles which can fly well beyond people six feet away. On Friday, the CDC changed its guidance on coronavirus, saying tiny particles can carry the virus in the air, which would pose the most risk for infection:

"These particles may be inhaled and may seed an infection, the guidance stated. “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 (for example, during choir practice, in restaurants, or in fitness classes)”

But Monday morning, the CDC suddenly took it all back saying that new guidance,

"... was posted in error to the agency’s official website, the site said. “CDC is currently updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission of Sars-COV-2--the virus that causes COVID-19.”

“I do think that those concerns (about how far the virus can travel in the air) are true, if people don’t cover their face,” said Dr. Paul Pottinger, director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at UW Medical Center and a UW associate professor of Medicine and Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Pottinger said those tiny droplets are far less likely to travel and infect others if we contain them with a good mask.

“That idea that six feet isn’t quite enough, maybe that’s true in some circumstances, but if you’ve got your face covered, if everyone has their face covered, it really should be enough,” he said.

A recent study by Florida Atlantic University proved that tiny particles that could otherwise travel very long distances are effectively constrained even by a cloth facemask, which showed similar results to a professional N-95 mask.

“Regardless of what you may be reading in different news outlets, it is the importance of covering our faces to protect others from us in case we have the infection before we even know it,” he said. “And to protect ourselves from others so that if someone makes a mistake with their face covering, coughs or sneezes on us, yells or shouts, hoots or hollers, that we’re not coming in direct contact with those respiratory droplets.”