AMA, experts attack government failure to accept airborne spread Weâre sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Save Normal text size Advertisement Leading infection-control experts say they are frustrated and angry about a federal government panelâs reluctance to accept the dangers of airborne spread of COVID-19, warning it is putting frontline workers and the community at risk. A controversial recommendation from the Australian governmentâs Infection Control Expert Group (ICEG) allows surgical masks with protective eyewear to be used in the routine care of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and those in quarantine, rather than fitted N95 masks.