Masking Is No Longer Required on Planes. Should You Do It Anyway? Fenit Nirappil and Katie Shepherd - Washington Post
go to original April 21, 2022

A federal judge struck down the federal transportation mask mandate on April 18, but that doesn't mean masking doesn't still offer protection. (John Farrell, Joshua Carroll/Washington Post)

hat doesn't mean masking doesn't still offer protection. (Video: John Farrell, Joshua Carroll/Washington Post) The abrupt end of the federal mask mandate for public transportation and an uptick in coronavirus cases across the country have left some wondering: Should I still wear a mask in certain situations or places?

The confusion comes after a federal judge struck down the transportation mandate, prompting airlines and transportation agencies to lift their mask rules just as cases are starting to tick up again. Most states and cities that still had indoor mask mandates lifted them weeks ago. President Biden said Tuesday that people should decide for themselves if they want to wear masks or not.

Here’s what we know about the science of masking to help you make decisions about if, when and where to cover your face.

What to Know

  • How protective are masks when I’m wearing one and others are not?

  • If I do wear a mask, what kind should I wear?

  • How do I find reliable high-quality masks?

  • What does research tell us about the effectiveness of masking?

  • What if I am immunocompromised or have a child under age 5?

  • What do we know about coronavirus risk while flying?

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