A new international study shows the airborne spread of viruses has been "vastly underappreciated".
Previously the small droplets we coughed and sneezed were thought to be the culprits in the spread of disease.
But a review in the Science journal shows the virus-laden microscopic particles which can float in the air - and travel large distances - play a much greater role than thought before the pandemic.
It is something of a vindication for aerosol scientists have been banging this drum since last April 2020 - with the World Health Organisation finally acknowledging in May 2021.
University of Auckland aerosol scientist Dr Joel Rindelaub spoke to Morning Report.
