CDC: The Pandemic Isn’t Over, but It’s Time to Move On (Sort of). What Can We Expect Next?

While being very specific in stating that the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it has been reduced to a level that should allow most Americans to “move up to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives.” The statement from Dr. Gretta Massetti, chief field epidemiologist for the CDC, combined with a relaxation of isolation guidance has been perceived in the mainstream media as indicating a shift from the “state of emergency” mentality to one of advocating for reasonable caution. As JUCM News reported previously, while people infected with SARS-CoV-2 should still be instructed to isolate at home, those who have been exposed to the patient do not need to do the same if they don’t experience symptoms. Rather, per the CDC, they should be told to administer a home test 5 days after exposure. And the patients themselves should wear a mask for 5 days after ending their own 5-day isolation period. The question is, will the general public view this update as a signal that COVID-19 is no longer a threat—and if so, will we face another surge as children head back to school and workers return to offices in greater numbers?