“From the top down”
In a dramatic shift that perplexed experts and doctors, the CDC changed its Covid-19 testing guidelines. Now people without symptoms need not be tested. Even if they’ve been in close contact with the virus. A senior health official told CNN the sudden change was the result of pressure from the Trump administration. The senior official said, “It’s coming from the top down.”
The Trump Administration pressured the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to change the coronavirus testing guidelines to exclude asymptomatic people even if they have been recently exposed to the virus according to two federal health officials. Incredible. Previously, the CDC said viral testing was appropriate for people with recent or suspected exposure, even if they were asymptomatic.
Here’s what the CDC website said previously: “Testing is recommended for all close contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Because of the potential for asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, it is important that contacts of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection be quickly identified and tested.”