Mucus empowers virus transmission (IMAGE) DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Caption The mucus that covers respiratory droplets allows viral particles to remain infectious farther than previously thought, according to a modeling study published in February. Credit Illustration by Timothy Holland | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Usage Restrictions No restrictions. License Public Domain Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.