On Dec. 28, 2021, “Delta CEO” began trending on Twitter after a new rumor cropped up about the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The rumor claimed that the CDC issued new guidance reducing the COVID-19 isolation and quarantine time for breakthrough cases from 10 to five days primarily as a decision to help businesses. The specific accusation was that the CDC disregarded science and health in its decision making after Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian sent a letter to the agency that asked it to consider making the reduction.

The Rumor

Jemele Hill, a journalist for The Atlantic, tweeted about the CDC’s announcement, saying, “That’s not a health decision.”