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Update: An earlier version of this story was based on indications that the CDC mistakenly released on Monday. This story was updated at 8:00 PM to reflect the removal of these recommendations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially updated their guidelines to recommend that people open windows and use fans at holiday gatherings to increase ventilation in a bid to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 .
However, the agency later withdrew its new recommendation and said it was last year’s guidelines that were published in error.
“Content is being updated by the CDC to reflect current directions ahead of this holiday season,” CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund said in a statement. “The page had a technical update on Friday, but does not reflect CDC guidance until this next holiday season. The CDC will share additional guidance soon.”
The deleted CDC post, in addition to the ventilation recommendations, also discouraged people from having gatherings inside.
“Attending gatherings to celebrate events and holidays increases your risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19,” the CDC said. “The safest way to celebrate is virtually, with people who live with you, or outside and at least 6 feet from each other.”
And while the CDC’s deleted guidelines recommended avoiding indoor gatherings altogether in the run-up to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, he acknowledged that such guidelines might not be followed, and so encouraged efforts to increase air flow.
“If you’re celebrating indoors, let in some fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible,” the CDC said. “You can use a window fan in one of the open windows to blow air out of the window. This will suck in cool air through the other open windows.”
The CDC also stressed in its deleted guidelines since people who are vaccinated are more protected than those who are not. However, those vaccinated were still encouraged to wear masks indoors in public spaces and in areas with higher levels of COVID-19 transmission.
White House Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci said in an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday that it was “too early to tell” if Americans should come together for Christmas .
“We just need to focus on continuing to bring those numbers down and not try to go forward weeks or months and say what we’re going to do at some point,” Fauci said.
However, he said on Monday that his comments had been “misinterpreted”.
“The best way to make sure we’re in good shape as winter approaches would be to get more and more people vaccinated,” Fauci told CNN. “This has been misinterpreted as my claim that we cannot spend Christmas with our families, which absolutely was not the case. I will be spending Christmas with my family, I encourage people, especially vaccinated people who are protected, to have a good, normal Christmas with your family. “
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