Amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases across the U.S. due to the omicron variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced some recent changes to coronavirus guidelines on Dec. 27. While one would assume the recommendations would be stricter given the surge in cases, the announcement came as a shock to many because the CDC instead shortened the recommended isolation and quarantine period for people with COVID-19.

“Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others,” the agency said in its statement Tuesday.

The CDC cut the quarantine time period from 10 to five days just as the U.S. hit a record seven-day average of more than 265,000 cases on Tuesday, Dec. 28, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

In its announcement, the CDC linked to research and science that supported their argument that transmission “occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.” However, many Americans are still shocked at the recommendation given the number of people who continue to spread the virus by refusing to get vaccinated or quarantine. It seems that instead of encouraging them to do better for the nation’s safety, the CDC gave in to them. Additionally, debates have been spurred in which some accused the CDC of being more concerned for airlines and profits than people and public health.

As serious as the announcement is, people on Twitter did what they do best: They flooded the social media platform with “CDC says” and “CDC recommends” tweets and memes. Of course, these tweets were all filled with counterproductive and awful advice. 

Here are some of the most popular ones.

Do you have any of your own “CDC says” or “CDC recommends” favorites? Drop them below.

But jokes aside: Staying safe is important. Click here to find an appointment near you if you need to be vaccinated or need the booster.