Local doctors weigh in on new quarantine guidelines

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- The CDC has shortened the recommended length of time to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19. 

The new guidance shortens the time to 10 days for those without symptoms and seven days for those without symptoms and have a negative test. 

“I think what we’re trying to do really, or what the CDC is trying to do is balance the risk of transmission of disease versus people being able to go on about their lives and not have such a negative impact for it,” said Dr. David Smith from TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital. 

Smith still says the safest option is to quarantine for 14 days after exposure, but the CDC shortened the guidelines to make them easier to follow. 

“I think in the back of their mind, by being able to limit or shorten the degree of quarantine, it may make the quarantine more compliant and so overall we may end up not only people happier with the shorter degree of quarantine but more compliant with the quarantine as well.” 

This news comes after Governor Andy Beshear announced that vaccine distribution may make its way to Kentucky by mid-December. 

Smith also stresses the importance of keeping up to date on regular immunizations. 

“Covid is just an additional disease on top of what we’ve always had. And you know without Covid we would be gearing up for flu season right now as a medical community. And we’re still gonna have a flu season,” said Smith.