[Goose]

I don't care what the CDC says, it is just pure logic that more testing identifies more cases of infection, which allows more to be isolated, which reduces spread.

And it is also pure logic that if those cases are already quarantined it won't make much difference, period.

And if that is the case, then less testing by definition increases spread.

No OF, testing may increase knowledge. Not testing will not increase knowledge. Actions (or lack thereof) increase spread. There is some marginal knowledge to be gained from testing all close contacts as a matter of routine. However, those tests may increase delay in getting results of other tests. If the knowledge gained doesn't materially affect what actions will be taken, and the extra testing slows down results of more useful testing (i.e. people not in quarantine anyway), it may make sense to not do those tests. Pure logic.

For all you and I know the CDC has already looked at the numbers to date and the percent positive for asymptomatic contacts is so minuscule it is nugatory. I would hope they at least looked. This is not to say that asymptomatic spread isn't significant. However, it may be that finding it by testing contacts ASAP just isn't working.

[Goose]

I don't care what the CDC says, it is just pure logic that more testing identifies more cases of infection, which allows more to be isolated, which reduces spread.

And it is also pure logic that if those cases are already quarantined it won't make much difference, period.

And if that is the case, then less testing by definition increases spread.

No OF, testing may increase knowledge. Not testing will not increase knowledge. Actions (or lack thereof) increase spread. There is some marginal knowledge to be gained from testing all close contacts as a matter of routine. However, those tests may increase delay in getting results of other tests. If the knowledge gained doesn't materially affect what actions will be taken, and the extra testing slows down results of more useful testing (i.e. people not in quarantine anyway), it may make sense to not do those tests. Pure logic.

For all you and I know the CDC has already looked at the numbers to date and the percent positive for asymptomatic contacts is so minuscule it is nugatory. I would hope they at least looked. This is not to say that asymptomatic spread isn't significant. However, it may be that finding it by testing contacts ASAP just isn't working.