A Naturalistic Observation of Mask Wearing Behavior in a Southeastern United States Town during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Findings

Prior to the mandate young adults wore masks 42.7% (n = 565) of the time and elderly adults wore masks 81.4% (n = 129) of the time. Also, 56.7% (n = 979) of females and 48.2% (n = 678) of males wore masks. Whereas almost all the observed participants (95.9%, n = 73) who appeared of Asian descent wore masks, individuals perceived as White were far less likely to wear masks with only 47.2% (n = 1,089) wearing masks, and 62.6% (n = 401) of perceived Black individuals wearing masks. After the mask mandate was issued 91.7% (n = 109) of those observed were wearing masks. Mask wearing declined shortly after the CDC guidelines changed to indicate that fully vaccinated people did not need to wear masks indoors.

Practical Implications

Understanding demographic differences in mask wearing and responses to policy changes are important for public policy and public health.

Originality/Value of Paper

This chapter is one of a few that include observational data of actual mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021.

Citation

Rossi, M. and Moore, A. (2022), "A Naturalistic Observation of Mask Wearing Behavior in a Southeastern United States Town during the COVID-19 Pandemic", Aladuwaka, S., Wejnert, B. and Alagan, R. (Ed.) Systemic Inequality, Sustainability and COVID-19 (Research in Political Sociology, Vol. 29), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 33-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0895-993520220000029006