This is NPR's life kit.

Plains, buses, ride chairs.

A federal judge has ruled we can now take masks off on public transit.

But your worries about safety might still be on.

Will I still be protected if I continue to mask even if no one else is masked?

Or some types of transportation safer than others?

How do I deal with mask judgment?

I'm Andy Tagle, one of the producers of this show.

And in this episode of Life Kit, NPR Health correspondent Maria Godoy is here to answer your questions.

And help navigate us through these new mask optional roadways.

Maria, thanks for being here.

Always a pleasure to get a little time with you.

Thanks, Andy.

Okay, to start.

A lot of people might not feel comfortable with taking their mask off just yet.

But are we even still protected if we choose to mask in public spaces where other people aren't masked?

Look, a high quality mask like an N95 will offer really solid protection.

It's not foolproof because nothing is, but it's really, really good.

An expert agree that you are at less risk wearing N95 than not.

But a lot of people don't want to mask forever.

So it helps to understand that different situations pose different risks so you can decide for yourself.

Hmm, very good to know.

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