A recent study published in the Lancet points to strong evidence that COVID-19 causing SARS COV 2 virus which was thought to spread through droplets, is primarily an airborne pathogen.

This study brings us a step closer to understanding the virus, the way it spreads, and what can help prevent transmission.

The findings are also backed by another study, published on 14 April, that hopes to decimate misunderstandings surrounding the terminology such as “droplet,” “airborne,” and “droplet nuclei” transmission used interchangeably to define the virus and its characteristics.

What this means is that in the case of COVID, a person need not come directly in contact with 'large respiratory droplets' to get infected.

On the other hand, since COVID doesn't seem to spread through large droplets that fall quickly and settle on surfaces, incessantly cleaning surfaces, and physical barriers may not necessarily help reduce transmission.

The Lancet study also says that just maintaining physical distance at 'droplet distance' wouldn’t restrict transmission either.

Just being close enough to inhale particles of air exhaled by an infected person can be enough. Though the risk of transmission is far higher at close range, it can also occur over a distance.

The study also found that around 59% of all transmission globally has spread from people who were neither coughing, not sneezing.

Moreover, just speaking produces thousands of aerosols that easily transmit through air.

The study goes on to talk about how in the case of airborne infectious viruses, the following measures should be ensured to avoid inhalation of the infectious aerosols and effectively reduce transmission.

• Proper ventilation indoors
• Air filtration
• Reducing crowding
• Reducing time spent indoors
• Use of masks when outdoors and indoors
• Attention to mask quality and fit

Most of the guidelines are the same as they've been from the beginning of the pandemic— mask up, social distance, wash hands.

A second crucial they raise is the importance of the quality of the mask you use.

Masks usually block out large droplets from landing on your face, and do, to some extent, protect from inhalation of aerosols.

Which is why it is crucial to make sure the mask you use is well fitted and layered.

This can also explain why healthcare workers have been infected in spite of wearing surgical masks.

In light of these findings, the study authors call for higher-grade protection for health-care staff and front-line workers.

Watch this video to see how to do it right: