Building an evidence base on hospital-acquired COVID & patient safety failures, to secure proper investigation, accountability & learning - starting in Wales.
Across epidemiology, virology, and aerosol science, researchers were synthesising evidence from influenza, SARS-1, measles, and TB that challenged droplet-based infection models.
Using high-speed imaging, Lydia Bourouiba (MIT fluid dynamics) and colleagues showed that coughs, sneezes and speech produce turbulent gas clouds that generate fine aerosols capable of remaining suspended in shared air.
This was recognised during the outbreak itself, not years later, when transmission patterns could not be explained by droplets or close contact alone.
Aerosols are tiny particles released when people breathe, speak, cough, or shout.