More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic – mask wearing is still a contentious topic.

The federal court decision last week -- that is being appealed by the Biden Administration -- that the CDC didn’t have the authority to mandate mask wearing on public transportation started the latest debate. The city of Philadelphia reinstated its mask mandate last week with covid cases rising somewhat only to remove it a few days later.

Most people say they don’t like wearing a mask but followed the guidelines set forth by medical professionals and scientists who said masks protect against the spread of the virus.

Researchers have been studying how much protection masks provide.

We’re joined by one of them on Monday's Smart Talk – Dr. Seema Lakdawala, Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Lakdawala studies the airborne transmission of viruses.

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