Two years in — researchers reaffirm masks protect against COVID

• Scott LaMar/WITF
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  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Matt Rourke / AP Photo

A person holds a mask while walking outside in Philadelphia, Friday, May 21, 2021.

Airdate: Monday, April 25, 2022

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.