Do we finally have evidence for COVID immunity?
Fast spreading @ABC new story claims 2 things:
1) We now know immunity is protective.
2) It lasts *UP TO* 3 months.
*NEITHER* are based on data & CDC's guidance doesn't actually say people can safely interact with others.
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Fast spreading @ABC new story claims 2 things:
1) We now know immunity is protective.
2) It lasts *UP TO* 3 months.
*NEITHER* are based on data & CDC's guidance doesn't actually say people can safely interact with others.
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Story is based on this text on CDC website about quarantine for "People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19". It is NOT on a website entitled: Had COVID-19? Want to have some fun?
It says:
"People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested again for up to 3 months as long as they do not develop symptoms again."
So where did ABC story come from and where did CDC guidance come from?
"People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested again for up to 3 months as long as they do not develop symptoms again."
So where did ABC story come from and where did CDC guidance come from?
ABC story likely happened when a reporter @dubmansell saw CDC page & thought - this is a big story & CDC must have some data to back this up! Except they don't, so it isn't.
If you want to know what we know (AND DON'T!) about immunity to COVID-19 see here:
tl;dr Infection *likely* provides some protection but we don't know how good or for how long. So no evidence at all for strong claim about immunity & 3 month duration.
tl;dr Infection *likely* provides some protection but we don't know how good or for how long. So no evidence at all for strong claim about immunity & 3 month duration.
My *guess* at why CDC released these guidelines is because quarantining can put significant burden on some populations. Normally if you have close contact w/ infected person you have to quarantine for 14d.
For high risk professions, that could remove badly needed individuals from a workforce. Previously infected people are least likely to become infected, all else being equal. But that is NOT the same as saying if you've been infected you are immune & can party like it's 1999.
ABC's story is factually incorrect, misleading & not based on data. Even CDC website should have been worded much more carefully.
@CT_Bergstrom also isn't happy w/ this story:
@CT_Bergstrom also isn't happy w/ this story:
Now @Newsweek too. Ugh.
Full webpage for CDC's actual guidance on when to quarantine:
cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…
I find wording confusing all around! Q & bold text clearly says no need to quarantine for 3 mo. But "up to" in sentence below suggests otherwise.
cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…
I find wording confusing all around! Q & bold text clearly says no need to quarantine for 3 mo. But "up to" in sentence below suggests otherwise.
