Does One-Way Masking Protect You From COVID?

On my morning subway commute, I notice about half the people are still wearing a mask.

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By Stephanie Cornwell, Editorial Assistant On my morning subway commute, I notice about half the people are still wearing a mask. As one of the mask wearers, I wonder how much protection I'm really getting if so many of us have abandoned this protection. Today's Top Story How Well Does One-Way Masking Protect You From COVID? One-way masking refers to people wearing masks when others around them aren't. And it's something many people are practicing as cities and transportation systems lift their mask mandates.   Different spaces pose varying levels of infection risk if you're the only one wearing a mask. Airplane ventilation is much faster at filtering contaminated air than subways, helping to keep you safe during a flight. Public transportation tends to be more crowded, increasing the risk of infection, even if you're masked. Know More Any mask is better than no mask, but a fitted N95 offers more protection than a cloth surgical mask. Feel Better The CDC is once again recommending people wear masks on public transit. READ MORE Abortion Access Ranked By State A Verywell analysis finds that 39% of reproductive-aged women in the United States live in counties that do not have an abortion provider. And if Roe v. Wade gets struck down this summer, access will become even more difficult. See how states currently stack up here. READ MORE Dopamine and ADHD: What's the Link? We don't know what causes ADHD, but we do know people with ADHD have lower levels of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine helps maintain muscle control and regulates emotions, behavior, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. Stimulant medications can help boost dopamine levels and are one type of ADHD treatment. READ MORE Keep Reading   ■ Frigid Offices Might Be Killing Women's Productivity. The Atlantic     ■ Here's What Could Happen If Roe v. Wade Is Overturned. NPR     ■ An A.A.P.I. Heritage Month Wish List. The New Yorker More From Verywell Is It Really Time to Take Off Your Mask? READ MORE What to Know About Hepatitis B Vaccines READ MORE Serotonin versus Dopamine READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.         You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy