Again, this is not to say that people should never associate with one another, but rather, to be aware of the risk and to take precautions, especially for those with immunocompromise and others at higher risk for severe disease.

Is isolation still recommended?

Wen: Yes, it is, and in fact, that is the first thing that I recommend for people to do if they test positive for Covid-19.

Whether they performed their own home test and have a positive result or received a positive result back from a PCR test, they should immediately isolate.

(We discussed more about the challenges of isolation with young children in this previous Q&A.)

CNN: How long should people isolate?

Wen: The day that you take your positive test is day zero.

That means not being in the same room at home with people you live with and not going to work in person.

That includes not dining with people you live with, indoors, during those days.

Many public health experts, including me, would recommend testing out of isolation as an additional level of precaution that also reduces inconvenience.

This is not what the CDC says, but I think it's reasonable to start testing with a home rapid test from day 5.

That would make for a less onerous isolation period, especially for families who live in small spaces or have young children to care for.

CNN: What therapies should people take?

They are meant for people who are at higher risk for progression to severe disease.

Know in advance what you'd get if you test positive and how you would access the therapies, including after hours and on weekends.

The most important reason is reduce the likelihood of severe disease and to keep infected people from being hospitalized and dying.