The top U.S. public health agency said Monday that the coronavirus can spread more than 6 feet through the air, especially in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials maintained that such spread is uncommon and current social distancing guidelines still make sense.
However, several experts faulted the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. They said the virus can spread more easily than the CDC seems to be indicating, and suggested that the public should wear masks even in prolonged outdoor gatherings when they are more than 6 feet apart.
The virus “is traveling through the air and there is no bright line. You’re not safe beyond 6 feet. You can’t take your mask off at 6 feet,” said Dr. Donald Milton of the University of Maryland School of Public Health.
Jeez, it's like a bunch of elementary school students putting together a book report.
I've been saying for most of this year that 6' is a fairly arbitrary guideline, and people should wear a mask in public when other people are around. That is, in countries such as the US which so far have failed to contain the virus.
This all seems so basic, and yet the CDC is finally starting to acknowledge that 6 feet is not terribly meaningful or safe.