Prevalence of mask wearing in northern Vermont in response to SARS-CoV-2

Beckage, Brian; Buckley, Thomas E.; Beckage, Maegan E

doi:10.1101/2020.07.23.20158980

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Unlike other studies, we did not see a large difference in demographics (age, education level, employment status, gender and race) among those who reported always wearing a mask compared to those who reported sometimes or never wearing one, however, age and education level were significantly associated (9,10). In addition, these questions and data remain imperfect; there are many facets of mask-wearing behavior that the survey questions were unable to capture.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Imprecise assessment of mask use may obscure associations with SARS-CoV-2 positivity

Bérubé

Clipman

Mehta

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Masks are effective measures to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, however, lack of a national mandate coupled with poor adherence has led to suboptimal levels of transmission reduction. Although data has suggested that mask adherence is high, few studies have captured details on how mask wearing changes with activities and how these behaviors are associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity. We recruited an online sample of 3,058 respondents from three US states (MD, FL, IL; n∼1000/state) between September 16 - October 15, 2020. The median age of the sample was 47; 53% were female, 56% were white and 22% were working outside the home. Seventy three percent of the sample reported always wearing a mask indoors and outdoors based on local guidelines, however, 78% of participants who reported always wearing a mask reported taking their mask off when outside the home. While overall masking according to guidelines was not significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity, sometimes, often or always removing a mask during activities were significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity (adjusted odds ratio for always vs never removing mask: 9.92; 95% CI: 1.16 – 85.1). These findings suggest that masks were most effective when worn without removal reflecting the need for consistent use.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Imprecise assessment of mask use may obscure associations with SARS-CoV-2 positivity

Bérubé

Clipman

Mehta

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…This is similar to a study in Chittenden County, Vermont, which found that 75.5% of the 1004 persons observed following the lifting of lockdown in May 2020 wore a mask. 20 Consistent with that study, we found that females and older persons had higher adjusted odds of masking.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Assessing effective mask use by the public in two countries: an observational study

et al. 2021

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ObjectivesDuring the COVID-19 pandemic wearing a mask in public has been recommended in some settings and mandated in others. How often this advice is followed, how well, and whether it inadvertently leads to more disease transmission opportunities due to a combination of improper use and physical distancing lapses is unknown.DesignCross-sectional observational study performed in June–August 2020.SettingEleven outdoor and indoor public settings (some with mandated mask use, some without) each in Toronto, Ontario, and in Portland, Oregon.ParticipantsAll passers-by in the study settings.Outcome measuresMask use, incorrect mask use, and number of breaches (ie, coming within 2 m of someone else where both parties were not properly masked).ResultsWe observed 36 808 persons, the majority of whom were estimated to be aged 31–65 years (49%). Two-thirds (66.7%) were wearing a mask and 13.6% of mask-wearers wore them incorrectly. Mandatory mask-use settings were overwhelmingly associated with mask use (adjusted OR 79.2; 95% CI 47.4 to 135.1). Younger age, male sex, Torontonians, and public transit or airport settings (vs in a store) were associated with lower adjusted odds of wearing a mask. Mandatory mask-use settings were associated with lower adjusted odds of mask error (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.73), along with female sex and Portland subjects. Subjects aged 81+ years (vs 31–65 years) and those on public transit and at the airport (vs stores) had higher odds of mask errors. Mask-wearers had a large reduction in adjusted mean number of breaches (rate ratio (RR) 0.19; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.20). The 81+ age group had the largest association with breaches (RR 7.77; 95% CI 5.32 to 11.34).ConclusionsMandatory mask use was associated with a large increase in mask-wearing. Despite 14% of them wearing their masks incorrectly, mask users had a large reduction in the mean number of breaches (disease transmission opportunities). The elderly and transit users may warrant public health interventions aimed at improving mask use.

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“…In Vermont, from May 16 to 30, 76% of people entering businesses were observed to wear a mask. 104 On the other hand, in Wisconsin from June 3-9, only 42% of shoppers were observed to wear a mask. 105 By May 9, the per-capita coronavirus-related mortality was 241.8 per million.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of country-wide coronavirus mortality with demographics, testing, lockdowns, and public wearing of masks (Update August 4, 2020)

Leffler

Ing

Lykins

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background. There is wide variation between countries in per-capita mortality from COVID-19 (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus). Determinants of this variation are not fully understood. Methods. Potential predictors of per-capita coronavirus-related mortality in 198 countries were examined, including age, sex ratio, obesity prevalence, temperature, urbanization, smoking, duration of infection, lockdowns, viral testing, contact tracing policies, and public mask-wearing norms and policies. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. Results. In univariate analyses, the prevalence of smoking, per-capita gross domestic product, urbanization, and colder average country temperature were positively associated with coronavirus-related mortality. In a multivariable analysis of 194 countries, the duration of infection in the country, and the proportion of the population 60 years of age or older were positively associated with per-capita mortality, while duration of mask-wearing by the public was negatively associated with mortality (all p<0.001). The prevalence of obesity was independently associated with mortality in models which controlled for testing levels or policy. International travel restrictions were independently associated with lower per-capita mortality, but other containment measures and viral testing and tracing policies were not. In countries with cultural norms or government policies supporting public mask-wearing, per-capita coronavirus mortality increased on average by just 7.2% each week, as compared with 55.0% each week in remaining countries. On multivariable analysis, lockdowns tended to be associated with less mortality (p=0.41), and increased per-capita testing with higher reported mortality (p=0.55), though neither association was statistically significant. Conclusions. Societal norms and government policies supporting the wearing of masks by the public, as well as international travel controls, are independently associated with lower per-capita mortality from COVID-19.

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Prevalence of mask wearing in northern Vermont in response to SARS-CoV-2

Cited by 6 publications

References 8 publications

Imprecise assessment of mask use may obscure associations with SARS-CoV-2 positivity

Imprecise assessment of mask use may obscure associations with SARS-CoV-2 positivity

Assessing effective mask use by the public in two countries: an observational study

Association of country-wide coronavirus mortality with demographics, testing, lockdowns, and public wearing of masks (Update August 4, 2020)

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