The study was done nationally, but Tulane Primate Research Center played a big part in the findings Author: Jade Cunningham / WWL Eyewitness News Published: 6:34 PM CST February 10, 2021 Updated: 6:34 PM CST February 10, 2021 NEW ORLEANS — Speaking, coughing, sneezing, even breathing near someone, can easily spread COVID-19. Now a new study from Tulane's National Primate Center reveals why that is. "In normal breathing, we all breathe out exhaled particles," Professor Chad Roy said. "You can't see them, but they're there. They're very small and many times when you're sick, those exhaled breath particles carry viruses, like COVID." Roy co-authored the study, which looked at two species of primates sick with COVID-19. They specifically focused on the breath the animals exhaled and how the virus affects it.