Newly released testimony from former National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins reveals that the six-foot social distancing rule during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic wasn't based on scientific evidence, but was instead an improvised measure.
On May 16, House COVID-19 Select Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) released a transcript of Collins' closed-door interview with lawmakers held in January. The transcript covered a variety of topics about COVID-19, including the lab leak theory and the six-foot distancing guideline much promoted by former White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci and former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx.
When asked about the origins of the six-foot rule, Collins confirmed that there was no scientific evidence supporting it. He noted that Fauci had said the six-foot distance "kind of just appeared." Collins admitted he did not recall any evidence for the distance, stating he had not seen any then or since.
The testimony adds to concerns that some decisions during the pandemic were made without strong scientific backing. Fauci and other health officials have stated they made decisions in good faith based on the data available at the time and adjusted guidelines as new information emerged.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised maintaining at least six feet of distance to prevent virus spread. This guideline was intended to minimize close contact and reduce transmission in public spaces and gatherings. (Related: COVID-19 masks provided NO PROTECTION during “pandemic,” British government now admits.)
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But the CDC's current guidance updated in April 2024 reflects a more nuanced approach on the matter. It acknowledged that there is no single safe distance and that virus spread depends on various factors, including ventilation, crowd density, and duration of exposure. The Epoch Times has sought comment from the CDC on Collins' remarks and the scientific basis for the six-foot guideline, but has received no reply as of press time.
Social distancing has negative impact on mental health
In March, the CDC updated its guidance, suggesting that COVID-19 should be treated similarly to other respiratory viruses. The updated guidance highlights the impracticality of virus-specific measures given the commonality of respiratory symptoms and emphasizes a unified, practical approach to infection control.
Prolonged isolation and strict measures like the six-foot rule, school closures and business shutdowns have been criticized for their negative impact on mental and physical health. The American Psychological Association highlighted the "collective trauma" experienced by Americans due to the pandemic response, citing studies showing increased rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
Researchers have indicated that the long-term harms of lockdowns could outweigh their benefits. A comprehensive study on the effects of lockdowns concluded that while these measures can control the spread of COVID-19, they come with significant collateral damage, including health consequences unrelated to the virus.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner under President Trump, criticized the six-foot social distancing rule for its arbitrariness and the negative impact it had on public confidence in the pandemic response.
In an interview on CBS's "Face the Nation," Gottlieb explained that the six-foot guideline was a compromise. The CDC had initially recommended a distance of 10 feet, but this was deemed "inoperable" by an unnamed political appointee in the Trump administration, leading to the adoption of the six-foot rule.
Gottlieb emphasized that both the 10-foot and six-foot recommendations lacked scientific basis, highlighting "the lack of rigor" in the CDC's public health recommendations. He noted that many people believe the six-foot rule is based on older studies of the flu, which suggested that droplets do not travel further than six feet. However, more recent research has demonstrated that COVID-19 can be transmitted through aerosols, which can travel much farther than droplets.
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Watch this video of former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins urging Americans to mask up and get injected with the COVID-19 vaccine, which caused more harm than good.
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Fauci admits social distancing has no basis; Wuhan lab-leak hypothesis is not conspiracy theory.
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