Speaking in Confined Spaces Can Spread COVID-19, Study Says The analysis can be found in the Proceedings of br the National Academy of Sciences of br the United States of America. It says that coronavirus droplets br can accumulate in the air after br 60 seconds of loud talking. For eight minutes, 1000 virus-containing droplets may stick around in the air. Lasers were used by scientists br for the study's findings. Authors say airborne transmission is possible br because an asymptomatic person can have br respiratory pathogens in their mouths. A spokesperson for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says the study shows how br important masks are. NIDDK spokesperson, via 'USA Today' A recent blog post from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth biology professor br Erin Bromage discussed potentialbr high-risk environments. According to Bromage, a few of these br are personal homes, restaurants and br public transport areas. Talking with CNN's 'New Day,' she adds that br air flow and the number of people in br a certain space are factors.