The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is looking at data that suggests "3 feet are okay under certain circumstances," for social distancing guidelines, NIAID Director Anthony Fauci said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday.
Why it matters: One of the biggest hurdles for school administrators and a barrier to reopening is making sure students stay the recommended 6 feet apart. Fauci said "it won't be very long" for the CDC to potentially adjust official guidelines on social distancing policies, if the data suggests 3 feet of distance won't negatively affect people's safety.
Driving the news: A new study on Massachusetts public schools by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) found "no substantial difference" in the number of cases in school districts that implemented a 3-foot distancing policy among students versus a 6-foot policy.
- According to Fauci, the CDC is launching their own study. "When the data shows that there is an ability to be 3 feet, they will act accordingly."
- Fauci added, "I talk to the CDC, to Dr. Walensky every single day. She is acutely aware of the accumulation of data and the fact that her team will be acting on the data the way they always do."