Dozens of research scientists from around the world took to the pages of the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases to argue the case for COVID-19 as an airborne illness. “We appeal to the medical community and to the relevant national and international bodies to recognize the potential for airborne spread of COVID-19,” the authors state. Citing several case studies, they urge the addition of precautionary measures such as ventilation and air filtration to the current droplet-based precautions such as the use of face masks and social distancing.

“We are concerned that the lack of recognition of the risk of airborne transmission of COVID-19 and the lack of clear recommendations on the control measures against the airborne virus will have significant consequences: People may think that they are fully protected by adhering to the current recommendations, but in fact, additional airborne interventions are needed for further reduction of infection risk,” write lead authors Lidia Morawska of Queensland University of Technology in Australia and Donald K. Milton of the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Read the accepted transcript online.