On Monday, December 27, 2021 the CDC updated their recommended isolation period. With the virus growing worse in some areas, some people question why the quarantine period has been shortened to five days with the requirement to wear a well fitting mask for five days afterward. It is a known fact that people who contract the COVID-19 virus or the Omicron variant can be contagious for up to ten days. With the new recommendations in place and rising cases in certain areas, workers and students have become concerned with the CDC’s decision.

“I don’t agree with the decision. I think it’s a risky move considering that the cases are getting worse and worse every day. Not to mention my kids that have to go to school with people who only quarantine for five days and are still contagious after.” says working mother Sarah Poe.

“I honestly don’t understand why we went from two weeks of quarantine to only five days. That makes no sense to me.” noted Senior Sara Collins.

“I don’t think that we should cancel school if the cases aren’t super bad, but like, if they’re really bad, I think they should shut down for a certain amount of time so it could calm down. But reopen when it seems ok again.” Sara said, when asked how she felt about the rising COVID cases.