Indoor Public Mask-Wearing Behavior Changes in Response to National, State, and Local COVID-19 Policies. Issue 3 (21st May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vest, Joshua R.; Cash-Goldwasser, Shama; Peters Bergquist, Eleanor; Embi, Peter J.; Caine, Virginia; Halverson, Paul K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health management and practice. Volume 28:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 292
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2022-05-21
• Subjects: behavior observation techniques -- COVID-19 -- mobile applications -- public health; Public health administration -- United States -- Periodicals; 253.6
• DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001467
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1078-4659

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To estimate changes in public mask-wearing behavior in response to public health policies during COVID-19. Design: Panel of observed public mask-wearing. Setting: Counts of adult behavior in Marion County, Indiana, between November 15, 2020, and May 31, 2021. Determinants of Interest: (1) Removal of state masking requirement; (2) introduction of the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness; (3) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that vaccinated individuals did not need to wear masks in public; and (4) COVID-19 vaccine availability. Outcome: Percent observed with correct mask-wearing. Analyses: Fixed-effects models estimated the association between policies and mask-wearing. Results: Ending Indiana's mask requirement was not associated with changes in correct mask-wearing. The CDC's recommendation was associated with a decrease of 12.3 percentage points in correct mask-wearing (95% CI, −23.47 to −1.05; P = .032). Conclusions: Behavior encouraged by local mask requirements appeared to be resilient to changes in state policy. CDC recommendations appeared influential.