On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced that essential employees including health workers who have been exposed to the transmittable coronavirus will be allowed to return to work instead of quarantining for 2 weeks. CDC Director Robert Redfield attributes the decision to workforce shortages.
At a White House press briefing, Redfield unveiled the new guidance wherein the agency no longer advised essential workforce employees to practice self-isolation or quarantine themselves despite been exposed to highly infectious viruses. Those been exposed to the virus as part of their duty had previously been off the job practicing self-isolation for 14 days, which is the incubation period for COVID-19.
The virus can be transmitted after being even 6 feet of a patient that has tested positive for coronavirus. That stringent guidance has exerted considerable pressure on the front-line workforce.
Redfield said they looked at the essential workforce and figured out how to maintain that manpower as the country gears up to reopen. They are confident about bringing the essential workers back to work, he added.
The recently unveiled guidance comprises three major conditions. Those exposed to the coronavirus must take their temperature before returning to work, cover their face and nose with a mask and practice social distancing round-the-clock.
There's no word regarding the kind of mast CDC guidance recommendations for the health workers to wear. Keeping in line with that, the N95 face mask has been in short supply in several parts of the United States, Politico reported.
Redfield also noted that the CDC is urging people rejoining work after been exposed to the virus to refrain from hanging out in the lunchrooms, break rooms and avoid crowded places. Aside from that, he also advised employers to enhance the office's air exchange and clean communal spaces more frequently.
This was Dr. Redfield's third time facing the congressional committee in three days. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz insisted they reveal who in the Trump administration was responsible to ensure Americans showing the coronavirus symptoms got tested.
Dr. Redfield attempted to answer her twice, but Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Democrat of Florida didn't allow him to respond. “I just need a name. Is it you?” she asked. Dr. Redfield looked at the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci who was sitting next to him.
Responding to the lawmaker's question, Dr. Fauci pointed out that the system is not equipped to deal with the situation at the moment. “That is a failing," he said. Dr. Redfield’s agency played a vital role right from the beginning of America's response to the pandemic, but is coming under fire for delaying the testing for the virus in the states, NYTimes reported.