Nature Podcast
From Hippocrates to COVID-19: the scientific fight to prove diseases can be airborne
Apr 7, 2025
Carl Zimmer, a renowned science writer and New York Times columnist, dives into the fascinating world of airborne diseases. He discusses the surprising airborne spread of COVID-19, drawing from a dramatic choral rehearsal outbreak. Zimmer also traces the contentious history of aerobiology, detailing the struggles of pioneering researchers like William and Mildred Wells. He highlights the significant impact of government censorship on public health and stresses the lessons from the past in understanding the transmission of pathogens today.
32:27
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Quick takeaways
- The COVID-19 outbreak in a choir group demonstrated that respiratory diseases can spread over much larger distances than previously understood.
- Historical struggles between germ theory and aerobiology highlight the ongoing challenges in recognizing the significance of airborne disease transmission in public health.
Deep dives
The Impact of Airborne Microbes on Health
Airborne microbes play a significant role in human health, as discussed through the context of a COVID-19 outbreak in a choir group. The incident highlighted how respiratory diseases can spread over distances much larger than previously understood, challenging traditional beliefs about disease transmission. This event served as a crucial example of how airborne pathogens can circulate and infect individuals in enclosed spaces, emphasizing the two primary approaches to understanding the spread of disease: short-range contact versus airborne transmission. These insights have implications for public health measures, highlighting the need to rethink how diseases are managed and prevented.
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