Association of masking policies with mask adherence and distancing during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic

Eric J. Puttock; Jose Marquez; Deborah R. Young; Abraelle M. Shirley; Bing Han; Thomas L. McKenzie; Nicole J. Smith; Kathleen Manuel; Deanna Hoelscher; Suzanne Spear; Monica Ruiz; Charlotte Smith; Kimberly Krytus; Iveris Martinez; Hosung So; Marian Levy; Vikki Nolan; Erika Bagley; Amber Mehmood; Joy Goens Thomas; Lily Apedaile; Shelby Ison; Daheia J. Barr-Anderson; John G. Heller; Deborah A. Cohen

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2022.04.010

Association of masking policies with mask adherence and distancing during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic

Eric J. Puttock, Jose Marquez, Deborah R. Young, Abraelle M. Shirley, Bing Han, Thomas L. McKenzie, Nicole J. Smith, Kathleen Manuel, Deanna Hoelscher, Suzanne Spear, Monica Ruiz, Charlotte Smith, Kimberly Krytus, Iveris Martinez, Hosung So, Marian Levy, Vikki Nolan, Erika Bagley, Amber Mehmood, Joy Goens ThomasLily Apedaile, Shelby Ison, Daheia J. Barr-Anderson, John G. Heller, Deborah A. Cohen

Kinesiology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Quantification of the impact of local masking policies may help guide future policy interventions to reduce SARS-COV-2 disease transmission. This study's objective was to identify factors associated with adherence to masking and social distancing guidelines. Methods: Faculty from 16 U.S. colleges and universities trained 231 students in systematic direct observation. They assessed correct mask use and distancing in public settings in 126 US cities from September 2020 through August 2021. Results: Of 109,999 individuals observed in 126 US cities, 48% wore masks correctly with highest adherence among females, teens and seniors and lowest among non–Hispanic whites, those in vigorous physical activity, and in larger groups (P < .0001). Having a local mask mandate increased the odds of wearing a mask by nearly 3-fold (OR = 2.99, P = .0003) compared to no recommendation. People observed in non–commercial areas were least likely to wear masks. Correct mask use was greatest in December 2020 and remained high until June 2021 (P < .0001). Masking policy requirements were not associated with distancing. Discussion: The strong association between mask mandates and correct mask use suggests that public policy has a powerful influence on individual behavior. Conclusions: Mask mandates should be considered in future pandemics to increase adherence.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	969-974
Number of pages	6
Journal	American journal of infection control
Volume	50
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2022.04.010
State	Published - Sep 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

Keywords

Mask mandates
Policy
Surveillance

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Puttock, E. J., Marquez, J., Young, D. R., Shirley, A. M., Han, B., McKenzie, T. L., Smith, N. J., Manuel, K., Hoelscher, D., Spear, S., Ruiz, M., Smith, C., Krytus, K., Martinez, I., So, H., Levy, M., Nolan, V., Bagley, E., Mehmood, A., ... Cohen, D. A. (2022). Association of masking policies with mask adherence and distancing during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. American journal of infection control, 50(9), 969-974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2022.04.010

Puttock, EJ, Marquez, J, Young, DR, Shirley, AM, Han, B, McKenzie, TL, Smith, NJ, Manuel, K, Hoelscher, D, Spear, S, Ruiz, M, Smith, C, Krytus, K, Martinez, I, So, H, Levy, M, Nolan, V, Bagley, E, Mehmood, A, Thomas, JG, Apedaile, L, Ison, S, Barr-Anderson, DJ, Heller, JG & Cohen, DA 2022, 'Association of masking policies with mask adherence and distancing during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic', American journal of infection control, vol. 50, no. 9, pp. 969-974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2022.04.010

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abstract = "Background: Quantification of the impact of local masking policies may help guide future policy interventions to reduce SARS-COV-2 disease transmission. This study's objective was to identify factors associated with adherence to masking and social distancing guidelines. Methods: Faculty from 16 U.S. colleges and universities trained 231 students in systematic direct observation. They assessed correct mask use and distancing in public settings in 126 US cities from September 2020 through August 2021. Results: Of 109,999 individuals observed in 126 US cities, 48% wore masks correctly with highest adherence among females, teens and seniors and lowest among non–Hispanic whites, those in vigorous physical activity, and in larger groups (P < .0001). Having a local mask mandate increased the odds of wearing a mask by nearly 3-fold (OR = 2.99, P = .0003) compared to no recommendation. People observed in non–commercial areas were least likely to wear masks. Correct mask use was greatest in December 2020 and remained high until June 2021 (P < .0001). Masking policy requirements were not associated with distancing. Discussion: The strong association between mask mandates and correct mask use suggests that public policy has a powerful influence on individual behavior. Conclusions: Mask mandates should be considered in future pandemics to increase adherence.",

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AU - Han, Bing

AU - McKenzie, Thomas L.

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Association of masking policies with mask adherence and distancing during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

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