Face Mask Return? CDC data shows highly transmissible delta variant is now the dominant Covid strain in the U.S.

The Political Agitator’s response: I can see the face mask mandate returning. I am going to continue to wear mines forever. Let’s wait and see how long before the mandate goes in to effffect. I believe they lifted the COVID-19 mandates too early and should have waited til 2022.

The highly transmissible delta variant is now the dominant coronavirus strain in the United States, surpassing the alpha variant, according to Covid-19 modeling data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Delta, the variant that was first found in India and is now in at least 104 countries, represented 51.7% of new Covid cases in the U.S. over the two weeks ended July 3, according to recently updated estimates by the CDC. Meanwhile, the proportion of new cases caused by alpha, which was first found in the U.K., was just 28.7% over the same time period, according to the U.S. agency. (Read more)

CDC abruptly removes new guidance on coronavirus airborne transmission

The Political Agitator’s response: I have always questioned the 6 feet thing and the 15 minute thing. I feel that the 15 minute thing was the time put in place so that folk can’t justify being around co-workers over 15 minutes which most folk get 10 minutes for break. So who measure the 6 feet thing in the workplace and other? I just believe that the smaller the place folk are in they are more at-risk of contracting COVID. Schools should not re-open and should remain closed until December 31 and be re-evaluated to see if January will be a good time. But I ain’t a scientist so just my ignant opinion.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that it made a mistake when it posted new guidance online citing “growing evidence” that COVID-19 is airborne, sending health experts and the public scrambling to determine if schools and business should rethink mitigation steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

The misstep is one of several in recent weeks in which the CDC has left the public scratching its head.

Since July, the agency has flip-flopped on its guidance on testing people who don’t show symptoms, finally settling on the recommendation that it’s a good idea.

Critics of the Trump administration say too much politics is at play and that the agency’s wavering is undermining its credibility with the public.

MORE: CDC reverses testing guidelines after report of interference

“A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency’s official website. CDC is currently updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Once this process has been completed, the update language will be posted,” the CDC stated Monday.

How long the virus lingers in the air and how far it travels after someone sneezes or coughs has been the subject of much speculation since the beginning of the pandemic. On Friday, the CDC quietly updated a page on its website on how the virus spreads. (Read more)