Face masks increase compliance with physical distancing recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Governments across the world have implemented restrictive policies to slow the spread of COVID-19. Recommended face mask use has been a controversially discussed policy, among others, due to potential adverse effects on physical distancing. Using a randomized field experiment (N=300), we show that individuals keep a significantly larger distance from someone wearing a face mask than from an unmasked person. According to an additional survey experiment (N=456), masked individuals are not perceived as being more infectious than unmasked ones, but they are believed to prefer more distancing. This result suggests that, in times where mask use is voluntary, wearing a mask serves as a social signal for a preferred greater distance that is respected by others. Our findings provide strong evidence against the claim that mask use creates a false sense of security that would negatively affect physical distancing

COVID-19 symptomatology and compliance with community mitigation strategies in Latin America early during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Community mitigation strategies (CMS) have demonstrated to be effective in the reduction of transmission and incidence of COVID-19, especially in the population with symptoms associated with the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the presence of COVID-19 symptoms and adherence to CMS in Latin American adults. Methods: We carried out a secondary analysis of a database developed by the University of Maryland and Facebook social network during the COVID-19 pandemic. We included Latin American adults that used the Facebook platform and participated in a survey conducted from April 23 to May 23, 2020. The principal outcome variable was reported compliance with the three main CMS (physical distancing, use of face masks, and hand washing). The exposure variable included symptoms suspicious for COVID-19 defined as the presence of three or more symptoms of an acute clinical case of COVID-19. We performed generalized linear models of the Poisson family with a logarithmic link function to evaluate the association between the presence of COVID-19 symptoms and reported compliance with CMS. We calculated crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: We analyzed 1,310,690 adults from Latin America; 48.1% were male and 42.9% were under 35 years of age. The prevalence of suspicious symptoms of COVID-19 was 18.5% and reported compliance with the three CMS was 45.3%. The countries with the highest proportion of reported compliance with the three CMS were Peru, Bolivia and Panama, while those with the lowest reported compliance were Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. In the adjusted model, people with suspicious symptoms for COVID-19 had a 14% lower compliance with the three CMS (aPR = 0.86; 95%CI: 0.85–0.87; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Less than half of the participants complied with the CMS, and those presenting suspicious symptoms for COVID-19 had lower reported compliance with the three CMS.University of MarylandRevisión por pare

Face mask use and physical distancing before and after mandatory masking: Evidence from public waiting lines

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of mandatory face mask usage was accompanied by a heated debate. It was argued that community use of masks creates a false sense of security that could decrease social distancing, thus making matters worse. We conducted a randomized field experiment in Berlin, Germany, to investigate whether masks lead to decreases in distancing and whether this mask effect interacts with the introduction of a mask mandate in Berlin. Joining lines in front of stores, we measured the distance kept from the experimenter in two treatment conditions - the experimenter wore a mask in one and no face covering in the other - both before and after the introduction of mandatory mask use in stores. We find no evidence that mandatory masking has a negative effect on distance keeping. To the contrary, in our study, masks significantly increase distancing and the effect does not differ between the two periods. Further, we find no evidence that the mask mandate affected distancing. However, our results suggest that the relaxation of shop opening restrictions had a negative effect on distancing

Should individuals in the community without respiratory symptoms wear facemasks to reduce the spread of Covid-19? – Update 1

Key messages: We did a rapid review of evidence to inform a recommendation regarding people without respiratory symptoms wearing facemasks in the community to reduce the spread of Covid-19. We used an Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework to guide the process from reviewing the evidence to a recommendation. The present report is an update of a recommendation from June 2020 [NIPH 2020a]. There is evidence of a protective effect of medical facemasks against respiratory infections in community settings. Randomised trials from community settings indicate a small protective effect. There is no reliable evidence of the effectiveness of non-medical facemasks in community settings. There is likely to be substantial variation in effectiveness between products. Potential undesirable effects of facemasks include the risks of incorrect use, a false sense of security (leading to relaxation of other interventions), and contamination of masks. In addition, some people experience problems breathing, discomfort, and problems with communication. Since we published our first report and recommendation in June 2020, the incidence of Covid-19 has increased in Norway. In defined areas with a high incidence and risk of spread, use of facemasks has been recommended, or mandated. Surveys indicate that facemasks are currently accepted by the healthy population in Norway. However, the extent to which facemasks are used correctly and if use leads to a false sense of security is uncertain. The most important criteria for our recommendation were the problem priority (the baseline risk and seriousness of the spread of Covid-19 in the community from people without respiratory symptoms) and the balance of desirable and undesirable effects. Conditional recommendation for use of facemasks in the community In situations where the incidence of Covid-19 is low and controlled, we do not recommend the use of facemasks by individuals without respiratory symptoms in the community who are not in close contact with people who are known or assumed to be infected. In situations where the incidence is high, increasing or the spread is uncontrolled, either locally, regionally or nationally, use of facemasks should be considered even though study results of the protective effect vary greatly and the certainty of the evidence is low. A recommendation to use facemasks should be based on a risk assessment, not the incidence alone, and should be targeted to settings where distance cannot be kept indoors, including on public transport, and especially where contact tracing is difficult. Facemasks should only be recommended as an additional measure when the incidence cannot be controlled by less burdensome measures. Medical facemasks or quality controlled non-medical facemasks with a documented filtration effect should be used. For personal protection, for example by people belonging to medical risk groups, only medical facemasks type II or IIR should be used. If a recommendation to use facemasks is made, the community should be given information to ensure correct use and the risks should be explained, including the risks of a false sense of security and 3 contamination of masks. The training should be tailored to the needs of different groups, including people with different levels of fluency in Norwegian and different socio-economic circumstances. There is some evidence that suggests information which emphasizes caring and fairness may improve compliance more than mandates that emphasize authority. Gender and age specific information may also increase compliance. Facemasks should not replace other interventions such as physical distancing, avoiding situations where social distancing is not possible, hand washing, and use of disinfectants.Hovedbudskap: Vi utarbeidet en hurtigoppsummering av kunnskap om effekt av munnbind brukt av asymptomatiske personer i samfunnet for å forebygge spredning av Covid-19. Vi benyttet et Evidence to Decision (EtD) rammeverk til å gjennomgå kunnskapen og utarbeide en anbefaling. Denne rapporten er en oppdatering av en rapport publisert i juni 2020 [NIPH 2020a]. Det finnes dokumentasjon for at medisinske munnbind kan beskytte mot spredning av luftveisinfeksjoner i samfunnet. Randomiserte studier gjennomført utenfor helseinstitusjoner tyder på at medisinske munnbind har en liten beskyttende effekt. Det finnes ingen pålitelig dokumentasjon for effekten av ikke-medisinske munnbind brukt i samfunnet, og det er sannsynligvis betydelig variasjon i effekt mellom ulike produkter. Ulemper ved bruk av munnbind omfatter risiko for feil bruk, falsk trygghetsfølelse (som kan føre til lemping av andre tiltak) og tilskitning av maskene. Noen opplever også pustebesvær, andre ubehag og kommunikasjonsvansker. Siden den første rapporten ble publisert i juni 2020 har insidensen av Covid-19 økt i Norge. I definerte områder med høy insidens og smitterisiko er det gitt anbefalinger, eller påbud, om bruk av munnbind i situasjoner der avstand ikke kan opprettholdes. Spørreundersøkelse viser at bruk av munnbind er akseptert i store deler av den friske befolkningen i Norge i dag. Vi har liten kunnskap om munnbind brukes korrekt i befolkningen, eller om munnbind fører til en falsk trygghetsfølelse. Den tilgjengelige dokumentasjonen ble vurdert etter gitte kriterier. Kriteriene som ble lagt mest vekt på for vår anbefaling var problemets prioritet (hvor alvorlig er problemet med spredning av covid-19 i samfunnet fra personer uten luftveissymptomer) og balansen mellom fordeler og ulemper ved bruk av munnbind. Betinget anbefaling om bruk av munnbind i samfunnet I situasjoner med lav insidens og kontroll på spredningen anbefaler vi ikke bruk av munnbind for personer i samfunnet som ikke har symptomer på luftveisinfeksjon. I situasjoner med høy eller økende insidens og ukontrollert spredning i samfunnet, enten lokalt, regionalt eller nasjonalt, bør bruk av munnbind vurderes. Anbefalingen om bruk bør gis på grunnlag av en risikovurdering, og anbefalingen bør være rettet mot situasjoner der det ikke er mulig å holde avstand, særlig innendørs, og situasjoner der smittesporing ikke er mulig. Andre tiltak bør være prøvd før munnbind anbefales. Både medisinske munnbind og ikke medisinske munnbind med dokumentert filtrasjonseffekt kan anbefales. Bare medisinske munnbind type II eller IIR bør anbefales når hensikten er å beskytte brukeren, slik som for personer i risikogrupper. Dersom munnbind anbefales bør det gis informasjon og opplæring i korrekt bruk og håndtering. Ulempene bør forklares, slik som falsk trygghetsfølelse og forurensing av masker. Opplæringen bør tilpasses behovet i ulike målgrupper, inkludert personer med manglende norskkunnskaper og ulik sosioøkonomisk bakgrunn. Det finnes noe dokumentasjon på at informasjon som vektlegger omsorg og rettferdighet gir bedre oppslutning en autoritære påbud. Alders- og kjønnsspesifikk informasjon kan også gi bedre oppslutning Munnbind bør ikke erstatte andre tiltak.publishedVersio

Unmasking America\u27s Reaction To Face Masks: A Review Of The Literature

The United States has faced challenges in reestablishing normalcy as we learn to live with COVID-19. This has included adhering to competent infection containment guidelines. Despite evidence that masks can assist in COVID-19 transmission reduction, the mere suggestion has sparked outrage, violence, and even death in communities across the country. To safely reintroduce any semblance of normalcy that has been lost over the last year, it is critical to consider the variables that influence one\u27s internal personal perspectives and to comprehend how this influences various behavioral responses. Several critical risk communication principles can aid scientists in better understanding how people in various parts of the country are reacting to the threat of SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of this paper was to gain a better understanding of the specific attitudes, social structures, and shared belief systems that surround public safety and intervention adherence, specifically regarding the use of face masks in public places to prevent COVID-19 transmission. The primary objective was to gain a better understanding of the social and attitudinal factors that influence mask use or nonuse. The results of this review will provide a comprehensive explanation for the behaviors observed in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic by applying risk communication concepts such as risk perception and risk assessment to the challenges associated with public health recommendations to wear a face mask in public

Influence of cognitive factors on adherence to social distancing and the use of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic by young adults: a systematic review

This work was supported by the project “Youth Breakdown in the post-COVID era and their Vaccination Intention” (IPL/2021/Vaccin2You(th)_ESTeSL), funded by Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal. The H&TRC authors also acknowledge FCT/MCTES for the funding by UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020.Social distancing and the use of masks are crucial to prevent the spread of SARS-COV-2. Knowledge of the determinants of this behavior is essential to promote effective communication with the public in future public health crises that require mass public compliance with preventive behaviors. This systematic review focused on scientific evidence related to cognitive factors that underlie young adults’ intention to adhere to preventive social behavior (distancing and/or the use of facial masks) against COVID-19. A systematic literature search on the electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO was performed in December 2022 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The PEO (Population: young adults, Exposure: COVID-19, and Outcome: cognitive factors that underlie the intention of young adults to adhere to social distancing and/or the use of facial masks) was developed to identify search terms and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Eight studies met the eligibility criteria. None of the studies were seriously flawed according to the quality assessment, and they were considered to have a low risk of bias for selection. Several cognitive determinants emerged in the analysis. For social distancing and the use of masks, the most relevant factors related to adherence include risk perception and perceived severity, the moral value of fairness, social responsibility, trust in the government, respect for authority, and the quality of institutional communication. Adherence to social distancing was found related to self-efficacy. These results reinforce social cognitive models showing the relevance of cognitions to adherence behavior and highlight the responsibility of official institutions in the development of contexts and in adapting the communication for the effective promotion of adherence to the recommendations they launch.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessing Food Safety Practices in the Era of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Restaurant, Retail, and Hotel Sectors in Muscat Governorate, Oman

This study evaluated the adherence of food retailers, restaurants and hotels in Muscat Governorate to the precautionary measures to control the spread of COVID-19. This study found that only 18% of hotels implemented a Food System Management System (FSMS) while no restaurant or retailer implemented any FSMS. The majority of food retailers (89%) and restaurants (96%) did not conduct COVID-19 measures assessment while the assessment was conducted by 53% of caterers. All caterers assessed visitors/suppliers on COVID-19 symptoms and 94% of them kept details in a record book, followed by 96 and 76 %, respectively in retailers and restaurants. Safety distancing measure, signs, barriers and one-way system were implemented by different food establishments at different percentages. Covid-19 pandemic resulted in several changes in the food hygiene-related practices, such as hands sanitizing, wearing gloves and wearing masks. In conclusion, the overall adherence level of the food establishments toward health and symptoms monitoring, physical distancing, and face mask wearing was relatively high. The Era resulted in the introduction of hygienic practices that have been always recommended in the food service sector

Face mask use during the COVID‑19 pandemic: how risk perception, experience with COVID‑19, and attitude towards government interact with country‑wide policy stringency

Background: During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, governments imposed numerous regulations to protect public health, particularly the (mandatory) use of face masks. However, the appropriateness and effectiveness of face mask regulations have been widely discussed, as is apparent from the divergent measures taken across and within countries over time, including mandating, recommending, and discouraging their use. In this study, we analyse how country-level policy stringency and individual-level predictors associate with face mask use during the early stages of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Method: First, we study how (self and other-related) risk perception, (direct and indirect) experience with COVID- 19, attitude towards government and policy stringency shape face mask use. Second, we study whether there is an interaction between policy stringency and the individual-level variables. We conduct multilevel analyses exploiting variation in face mask regulations across countries and using data from approximately 7000 students collected in the beginning of the pandemic (weeks 17 through 19, 2020). Results: We show that policy stringency is strongly positively associated with face mask use. We find a positive association between self-related risk perception and mask use, but no relationship of mask use with experience with COVID-19 and attitudes towards government. However, in the interaction analyses, we find that government trust and perceived clarity of communication moderate the link between stringency and mask use, with positive government perceptions relating to higher use in countries with regulations and to lower use in countries without regulations. Conclusions: We highlight that those countries that aim for widespread use of face masks should set strict measures, stress self-related risks of COVID-19, and use clear communication

An evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 safety measures in public transit spaces on riders' Worry of virus contraction

The coronavirus pandemic has brought about global change in travel behavior. Transit ridership volumes have dropped to record lows. Concerning environmental, health, and social consequences lie in store if transit networks are not able to regain a substantial portion of pre-pandemic users. Transit providers have implemented several interventions aimed at both slowing the spread of the virus and retaining riders as travel restrictions lift. While the effectiveness of these measures has been evaluated with respect to spread rate reduction, little consideration has been given to their impact on riders' feelings of worry regarding virus contraction. By deploying a photo-simulation approach in a randomized control trial, this study finds that level of compliance with safety measures and the conditions of transit spaces themselves significantly impact riders' levels of worry. Given these findings, a series of recommendations are made regarding compliance practices that are expected to lessen rider worry regarding the risks of COVID-19 infection

Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic: a simple protection tool with many meanings

Wearing face masks is recommended as part of personal protective equipment and as a public health measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Their use, however, is deeply connected to social and cultural practices and has acquired a variety of personal and social meanings. This article aims to identify the diversity of sociocultural, ethical, and political meanings attributed to face masks, how they might impact public health policies, and how they should be considered in health communication. In May 2020, we involved 29 experts of an interdisciplinary research network on health and society to provide their testimonies on the use of face masks in 20 European and 2 Asian countries (China and South Korea). They reflected on regulations in the corresponding jurisdictions as well as the personal and social aspects of face mask wearing. We analyzed those testimonies thematically, employing the method of qualitative descriptive analysis. The analysis framed the four dimensions of the societal and personal practices of wearing (or not wearing) face masks: individual perceptions of infection risk, personal interpretations of responsibility and solidarity, cultural traditions and religious imprinting, and the need of expressing self-identity. Our study points to the importance for an in-depth understanding of the cultural and sociopolitical considerations around the personal and social meaning of mask wearing in different contexts as a necessary prerequisite for the assessment of the effectiveness of face masks as a public health measure. Improving the personal and collective understanding of citizens’ behaviors and attitudes appears essential for designing more effective health communications about COVID-19 pandemic or other global crises in the future.SG and VK acknowledge EU European Regional Development Fund, Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion, grant agreement No.KK.01.1.1.01.0007, CoRE—Neuro, and awarded to University of Zagreb School of Medicine for financial support