By Larry Olmsted

Masks are back, like it or not, while for travelers they never went away. All flights, and in most places any public transport, requires them, and so do many destinations both domestically and abroad, especially indoors. Even where they are not required, they are a very good idea even for those vaccinated, with increasing numbers of so called “breakthrough” infections, along with the social responsibility to protect the young and immunocompromised. For those who are unvaccinated and putting themselves and others at high risk, mask wearing in all public places should be a moral requirement where it is not regulatory one.

The bottom line is that mask usage does not look to be ending anytime soon, at least to varying degrees and particularly for travel. So, if you have to wear a mask, it might as well be the best in terms of doing its intended job, which means both comfort and protection … continue reading

Award-winning travel journalist Larry Olmsted is the author of “Real Food, Fake Food.” He is a Contributing Editor to US Airways Magazine and Cigar Aficionado Magazine and “The Great Life” columnist for Forbes.com. His newest book is“Fans: How Watching Sports Makes Us Happer, Healthier, and More Understanding.”