Evolving disease, evolving guidelines

By Richard Sternberg, M.D.

People have questioned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because of changing recommendations for treatment, isolation and quarantine, vaccination, and social distancing. Some say these agencies and the government are lying to us.
Covid-19 management, though, remains an evolving scientific investigation. Development of prevention, treatment, and best practices to prevent the disease while minimizing overall societal impact is constantly changing.

Research and data has improved what seemed to be the best available advice in public health actions two years ago, at the outbreak of the disease. The fact that what scientists have told us in the past is not what is the best practices now does not mean that they were lying to us. It means that in their best judgment they gave advice which they also followed for themselves and their families, that they thought best at that time.