Consumers and COVID-19: Survey Results on Mask-Wearing Behaviors and Beliefs

RePEc Short ID: pkn16
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7378-916X

Dietrich, Alexander; Knotek, Edward S.; Myrseth, Kristian Ove R.; Müller, Gernot J.; Schoenle, Raphael; Weber, Michael

doi:10.26509/frbc-ec-202020

Journal Article

Consumers and COVID-19: Survey Results on Mask-Wearing Behaviors and Beliefs

Abstract: Masks or cloth face coverings have the potential to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 without greatly disrupting economic activity if they are widely used. To assess the state of mask wearing, we surveyed US consumers about their recent and prospective mask-wearing behavior. We find that most respondents are wearing masks in public but that some respondents are less likely to follow social-distancing guidelines while doing so, indicating a potential tradeoff between two of the recommended methods that jointly reduce coronavirus transmission. While most respondents indicated that they were extremely likely to wear a mask if required by public authorities, the reported likelihood is strongly dependent on age and perceived mask efficacy.

Keywords: COVID-19;

https://doi.org/10.26509/frbc-ec-202020