Should you wear a mask on a plane, bus or train when there's no mandate? 4 essential reads to help you decide

Despite the halt to the federal mask mandate for mass transit, people may still choose to protect themselves. For those who do, the type of mask and how well it fits matter.

Daniel Merino, Assistant Science Editor and Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast • conversation
April 20, 2022 • ~8 min

What is the best mask for COVID-19? A mechanical engineer explains the science after 2 years of testing masks in his lab

The CDC’s updated mask guidelines say that cloth masks offer the least protection from COVID-19. Differences in the materials masks are made from and the ways they fit are the reason.

Christian L'Orange, Assistant Research Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University • conversation
Jan. 25, 2022 • ~8 min

Cloth masks do protect the wearer – breathing in less coronavirus means you get less sick

In places where everyone wears a mask, cases of COVID-19 seem to be less severe. Evidence from labs and outbreaks suggests that masks protect not only others, but the person wearing the mask, too.

Monica Gandhi, Professor of Medicine, Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
Aug. 19, 2020 • ~8 min

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