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Observed face mask use outside retail chain stores during the COVID-19 pandemic in two cities in the state of Idaho, USA

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Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities have encouraged the use of face masks to minimize transmission within the community. To assess mask wear during a COVID-19 surge and guide public health response efforts, including public messaging on mask recommendations, we compared observed mask use in the largest city in each of Idaho’s 2 most populous counties, both without a current mask mandate. We recorded mask usage by every third person exiting stores of 5 retail chains in Boise and Nampa during November 8–December 5, 2021. Observations were conducted during three time periods (morning, afternoon, and evening) on weekday and weekend days. A multivariable model with city, retail chain, and city-chain interaction was used to assess mask wear differences by city for each chain. Of 3021 observed persons, 22.0% wore masks. In Boise, 31.3% (430/1376) of observed persons wore masks; in Nampa, 14.3% (236/1645) wore masks. Among all persons wearing masks, > 94% wore masks correctly; cloth and surgical masks were most common. By retail chain, observed individuals at Boise locations were 2.3–5.7 times as likely to wear masks than persons at respective Nampa locations. This study provided a rapid, nonconfrontational assessment of public use of mitigation measures in 2 Idaho cities during a COVID-19 surge.

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Notes

  1. 45 C.F.R. part 46.102(l)(2), 21 C.F.R. part 56; 42 U.S.C. Section 241(d); 5 U.S.C.0 Sect.552a; 44 U.S.C. Section 3501 et seq.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Public Health, Idaho Department of Health Welfare, Boise, ID, USA

    Megan E. Cahill, Sujeith Barraza Lozoya, Michelle A. Griffin, Robert Graff & Kris Carter

  2. Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Megan E. Cahill

  3. Public Health Associate Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Sujeith Barraza Lozoya

  4. Epidemiology Workforce Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Anna Blackstock

  5. College of Idaho, Caldwell, ID, USA

    Kayden Stockdale

  6. Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA

    Savannah Cowman & Caile Spear

  7. Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Kris Carter

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Cahill, M.E., Lozoya, S.B., Griffin, M.A. et al. Observed face mask use outside retail chain stores during the COVID-19 pandemic in two cities in the state of Idaho, USA. J Community Health 49, 26–33 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-023-01241-5

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