How to ignore the CDC’s new coronavirus guidelines, in six official White House photos

By Dawn Stover, October 6, 2020

https://thebulletin.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cdc-guidelines-whitehouse-photos-2-150x150.jpg.optimal.jpg

America’s national health protection agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued updated information yesterday on how COVID-19 is thought to spread. The revised guidelines note that the coronavirus spreads easily from person to person, and most commonly between people in close contact. Nothing new there.

Until yesterday, though, the CDC had not acknowledged what many public health experts have been saying for months: “Some infections can be spread by exposure to virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours. These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space.” (An earlier version of the revised guidelines, posted on September 18 but retracted after CNN reported on it, was described as a “draft version” posted in error.)

Here's a handy guide to the updated CDC recommendations about how to protect yourself and others—with helpful depictions by official White House photographers of virus-spreading behaviors that should be avoided.

Stay at least 6 feet away from others, whenever possible. This is very important in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Cover your nose and mouth with a mask when around others.

Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid crowded indoor spaces and ensure indoor spaces are properly ventilated by bringing in outdoor air as much as possible.

Stay home and isolate from others when sick.

Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Together, we make the world safer.

The Bulletin elevates expert voices above the noise. But as an independent nonprofit organization, our operations depend on the support of readers like you. Help us continue to deliver quality journalism that holds leaders accountable. Your support of our work at any level is important. In return, we promise our coverage will be understandable, influential, vigilant, solution-oriented, and fair-minded. Together we can make a difference.

Make your gift now

Keywords: CDC, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Trump
Topics: Biosecurity, Disruptive Technologies, Satire