It’s actually worse than that. You’re supposed to isolate until you’re not feverish and your symptoms are improving. Which is not really at all related to when you can spread it.
My understanding was that the instructions from the CDC were changed based on when you are likely to be contagious. The research indicated that following the updated guidance is sufficient to prevent/reduce the spread. At least, that’s the explanation I read when they changed the recommendation. Can’t find it now.
Realistically, it’s not the people who are following the CDC guidance who are spreading COVID.
Nope! Most people are most contagious through day 5, and contagiousness often persists through day 10.
From https://sesamecare.com/blog/how-long-are-you-contagious-with-covid-19 :
How long are you contagious after you test positive for COVID-19?
After testing positive for COVID-19, the duration of contagiousness can vary. However, individuals are typically contagious for about 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
For those with mild to moderate symptoms, this period can be shorter, often around 5-7 days. For people with severe symptoms or those with a weakened immune system, contagiousness can last up to 20 days.
They also dropped from 10 days to 5 originally because businesses were worried about not having enough employees over the holidays. The CDC is a political organization, not a medical one.
From https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/when-covid-isolation-come-out-best-time-experts-rcna88174 :
“It was not a reflection of evidence-based” science, he said. “It was there to stop everything from falling apart.”
At that time, a large chunk of the population was testing positive all at once because of the highly contagious variant. Recommending that everyone stay home — and out of work — for 10 days would have brought the country to a halt once again, so the five-day plan was put in place.
Realistically, it’s not the people who are following the CDC guidance who are spreading COVID.
Not when the CDC recommendations are basically nonexistent. And importantly the CDC recommendations define what businesses support. If the CDC says you don’t have to isolate for 5 days, your boss doesn’t have to give you 5 days of COVID leave.
