An-Najah News - When a sick person coughs or sneezes, large droplets fly through the air and can infect people nearby these are called respiratory droplets, and this is how experts think most people are getting sick with COVID-19.

Due to the droplets' relatively large size, greater than 5 micrometres, they usually don't travel very far, and they don't stay in the air too long But that's not the only type of droplet. 

Smaller droplets can also be produced when we sneeze and cough, as well as when we talk and breathe. These are called bioaerosols, and they can travel a lot further, and can stay airborne for a longer period of time.

Researchers found SARS-CoV-2 particles in both air and surface samples taken in isolation rooms where COVID-19 patients had been staying But another study, published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found no viral particles when collecting air samples just 10 centimetres (4 inches) from COVID-19 patients' chins. 

The US National Research Council last week told government officials that it is possible bioaerosols are partly to blame for the virus's ability to rapidly spread.

But he then explains that we need to be cautious with the results so far so the best thing you can do is stay home where possible, keep an eye on new guidelines as they emerge, and look out for each other.