Factors Associated with Cloth Face Covering Use Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, April and May 2020

Abstract

On July 14, 2020, this report was posted as an MMWR Early Release on the MMWR website (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr). On April 3, 2020, the White House Coronavirus Task Force and CDC announced a new behavioral recommendation to help slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by encouraging the use of a cloth face covering when out in public (1). Widespread use of cloth face coverings has not been studied among the U.S. population, and therefore, little is known about encouraging the public to adopt this behavior. Immediately following the recommendation, an Internet survey sampled 503 adults during April 7-9 to assess their use of cloth face coverings and the behavioral and sociodemographic factors that might influence adherence to this recommendation. The same survey was administered 1 month later, during May 11-13, to another sample of 502 adults to assess changes in the prevalence estimates of use of cloth face coverings from April to May. Within days of the release of the first national recommendation for use of cloth face coverings, a majority of persons who reported leaving their home in the previous week reported using a cloth face covering (61.9%). Prevalence of use increased to 76.4% 1 month later, primarily associated with increases in use among non-Hispanic white persons (54.3% to 75.1%), persons aged ≥65 years (36.6% to 79.2%), and persons residing in the Midwest (43.7% to 73.8%). High rates were observed in April and by May, increased further among non-Hispanic black persons (74.4% to 82.3%), Hispanic or Latino persons (77.3% to 76.2%), non-Hispanic persons of other race (70.8% to 77.3%), persons aged 18-29 years (70.1% to 74.9%) and 30-39 years (73.9% to 84.4%), and persons residing in the Northeast (76.9% to 87.0%). The use of a cloth face covering was associated with theory-derived constructs that indicate a favorable attitude toward them, intention to use them, ability to use them, social support for using them, and beliefs that they offered protection for self, others, and the community. Research is needed to understand possible barriers to using cloth face coverings and ways to promote their consistent and correct use among those who have yet to adopt this behavior. Survey questions were administered by Porter Novelli Public Services (PN) and ENGINE Insights through PN View 360,* * Porter Novelli and ENGINE Insights collaborate on the PN View 360 surveys (http://styles.porternovelli.com/pn-view-panels). ENGINE Insights applies data quality filters that are embedded in every survey automatically and are designed to prevent cheating or speeding.

Demographic Characteristics, Experiences, and Beliefs Associated with Hand Hygiene Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020

“…During this pandemic, higher perceived risk has been associated with increased handwashing (6). In addition to hand hygiene, risk perceptions have been associated with engaging in other protective behaviors such as physical distancing, § § § avoiding handshakes and crowds 7, and wearing cloth face masks (8). Perceived risk for COVID-19 in the United States, when assessed during March-April 2020, was moderately high (6); however, some evidence indicates U.S. adults underestimate their risk of becoming ill with COVID-19 (7).…”

Patterns of COVID-19 testing and mortality by race and ethnicity among United States veterans: A nationwide cohort study

“…We also found that the disparity between Black and White individuals in testing positive slightly decreased over the study period and was highest at VA sites that experienced an early outbreak of COVID-19. This finding may be partially explained by the increased attention on racial disparities in COVID-19 in the media [3][4][5] that may have impacted behaviors like wearing face coverings in public to reduce the spread of infection [38].…”

Factors Influencing Risk for COVID-19 Exposure Among Young Adults Aged 18–23 Years — Winnebago County, Wisconsin, March–July 2020

“…A recent survey found that persons aged 18-24 years reported lower agreement with and adherence to public health guidance (e.g., wearing masks) compared with those aged ≥25 years (2). Identifying factors (e.g., perceived severity of disease outcome) that influence risk for exposure to COVID-19 and framing communication messages to target those factors might persuade young adults to engage in behaviors that are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 (6,7).…”