In September 2020, Chris Norris and his team surveyed 2041 respondents across the United States on “U.S. behavior on Face Masks during COVID-19”.
The results reveal interesting data from factors that prevent Americans from coronavirus to face mask consumption.
Key Findings
- 87.3% of Millennials think that wearing face masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and helps public health when only 57.64% of Millennials are truly wearing it
- 38.83% of Americans don’t wear face masks because people aren’t wearing them
- 14% of Americans felt anxious when wearing a face mask because other people would look at them
- 41.4% of Americans used cloth masks during the COVID-19.
- 26.3% of Americans are using N95 Respirators to avoid COVID-19.
- 36.82% of Americans bought face masks and toilet paper for their friends’ birthday gifts during the COVID pandemic.
- 46.7% of Americans thought that their partners should wear a mask when having sex.
- 78.2% of Americans said that if friends or relatives come to visit them, they need to wear a face mask until they leave.
- 51.38% of Americans have dreamed of infecting with the coronavirus while sleeping.
Governments all around the world have put in the effort to control the epidemic. Wearing masks is the primary method of managing the spread of COVID-19. But, in the United States, a huge portion of the population resists wearing face masks.
While others remain adamant about getting people to protect themselves from the virus, the question is, how big of an impact this trend has on the American population? What do people think about wearing face masks?
We decided to delve a little deeper into this growing problem and see the real vision Americans have, particularly their behavior on the face mask policy. Chris Norris, together with a team of experts, analyzed 2041 Americans across the U.S. Here is what we found.
American Thoughts About Wearing Face Masks
86.01% of Gen Z supported that wearing face masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and helps public health while Gen Z is 58.05%, Baby Boomer is 51%
75.3% of Gen X wore face masks while Gen X is 49.68%, Baby Boomer is 47.62%
In early April, the CDC recommended that all Americans wear a face mask or any kind of coverage that will shield the mouth and nose. Particularly in places where social distancing was not possible.
Although there is no federal mandate that prompts people to wear a face mask, it’s still an important strategy for curbing the pandemic. The truth is, many people in the U.S. don’t abide by these recommendations. Instead, they often go to public places completely exposed to the coronavirus.
But, that hasn’t held every millennial from sticking to the face-mask requirement. In fact, 87.3% of Millennials think that wearing face masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and helps public health when only 57.64% of Millennials are truly wearing it.
This shows that people are aware of the benefits of wearing these coverings. But, not all practice this prevention strategy. Reports show, 86.01% of Gen Z supported that wearing face masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and helps public health while Gen Z is 58.05%, Baby Boomer is 51%. Exactly 75.3% of Gen X wore face masks while Gen X is 49.68%, Baby Boomer is 47.62%.
87.3%
of Millennials think that wearing face masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and helps public health when only
57.64%
of Millennials are truly wearing it.
Reason Why Americans Refused To Use Face Masks
There is a lot of backlash about these facial coverings. Many refuse to wear a mask when going to the grocery store or having a night out with friends.
The World Health Organization says on their new documents, you should wear medical and non-medical masks to protect yourself from COVID-19. According to the current evidence, COVID-19 virus is transmitted between people via droplets and contact routes. Droplet transmission occurs when a person is in close contact (within 1 metre) with an infected person and exposure to potentially infective respiratory droplets occurs, for example, through coughing, sneezing or very close personal contact such as the mouth, nose or eyes.
So, what is making some Americans refuse to wear a mask?
According to statistics, there are plenty of reasons people refuse to put on a facial covering. Based on the reports, 2% of U.S. citizens can’t buy a face mask, while 6.1% stated it looks weird.
The majority, which is 38.3%, stated they don’t want to wear a face mask since other people are not wearing them. Only 24.07% stated they had trouble breathing and couldn’t wear one. For 15%, face masks were incredibly uncomfortable to wear.
However, for 14% of those evaluated, anxiety was a huge problem. They stated they felt anxious when wearing a face mask because other people would look at them. These are all pressing matters that should be addressed if everyone is to wear a face mask.
2% of Americans said that they can not buy any face mask
6.1% of Americans says that it looks weird
24.07% of Americans have difficulty breathing
15% of Americans said that it was uncomfortable
38.83% of Americans don’t wear face masks because people aren’t wearing them
14% of Americans revealed that they were anxiety when people look at them with a face mask
What Types Of Face Masks Are Being Used?
There are various types of face masks available for use. But, each type is designed to have a different protection effect against COVID-19. So, what type of coverings do Americans prefer? Let’s take a look at the statistics below.
As of early May 2020, 88% of the world’s population lived in countries that recommend or mandated the use of masks in public; more than 75 countries had mandated the use of masks.
Types Of Face Masks Are Being Used
Based on the reports, 41.4% of Americans confirmed that they used cloth masks during the COVID-19. That means that cloth masks are the most popular choice and a practical protection strategy.
On the second, 26.3% of Americans are using N95 Respirators to avoid COVID-19. These types are mainly reserved for medical experts or individuals who work in close proximity to infected COVID-19 patients.
On the third, 14.1% of Americans are using surgical masks during the coronavirus. These disposable covers are often a practical choice of protective equipment for those who don’t want to wash their face masks. They are for one-time use and come in lighter colors.
The remaining 8.1% of Americans are using sponge masks during COVID-19, while others are carbon masks (5.1%), sponge masks with air purifiers (4.1%), and full-face respirators gas mask (1%). Since they are a comfortable fit, some people tend to use them regularly. They provide substantial coverage.
Note: An N95 mask offers more protection than a surgical mask does because it can filter out both large and small particles when the wearer inhales. As the name indicates, the mask is designed to block 95% of very small particles.
41.4% of Americans confirmed that they used cloth masks during the COVID-19.
26.3% of Americans are using N95 Respirators to avoid COVID-19.
14.1% of Americans are using surgical masks during the coronavirus.
Another Benefit Of Face Masks And Toilet Paper You May Not Know
There are many facts about face masks that people may not know about. One of the interesting part that we found is 36.82% of Americans bought face masks and toilet paper for their friends’ birthday gifts during the COVID pandemic.
36.82% of Americans bought face masks and toilet paper for their friends’ birthday gifts during the COVID pandemic.
Wearing Face Masks When Having Sex
People want to engage in sexual intercourse. But, the pandemic has made that difficult. Some people have urged their sexual partners to wear a face mask, just so they can protect themselves better.
Based on the reports, exactly 46.7% of Americans thought that their partners should wear a mask when having sex. While 78.2% of Americans said that if friends or relatives come to visit them, they need to wear a face mask until they leave.
46.7% of Americans thought that their partners should wear a mask when having sex.
78.2% of Americans said that if friends or relatives come to visit them, they need to wear a face mask until they leave.
To collect the data shown above, we surveyed 2041 respondents across the United States on “U.S. behavior on Face Masks during COVID-19”. An attention-checker question was included to ensure the participants did not mindlessly answer questions.
Because the survey relies on self-reporting, issues such as telescoping and exaggeration can influence responses. Please also note that this survey’s results do not reflect our opinions.
