With the delta suge, masks mandates are reintroduced.
Yet, a concern has been if masks mandates make people relax other meaures?
In a new article, we show that mask mandates have neglible adverse effects and often lead to *more* compliance: doi.org/10.1093/eurpub….
🧵(1/6)
Yet, a concern has been if masks mandates make people relax other meaures?
In a new article, we show that mask mandates have neglible adverse effects and often lead to *more* compliance: doi.org/10.1093/eurpub….
🧵(1/6)
Prior studies suggests that masks serve as a pandemic reminder to others and make others keep distance. But it was unclear how masks influence the distancing behavior of mask-wearers *themselves*. (2/6)
The problem is not trivial: Masks are used in crowded areas, creating a correlation between mask use & number of close contacts. But do masks make people seek out crowded areas bc of a sense of false security? I.e., what is the causal direction between masks and contacts? (3/6)
To disentagle this, we used a quasi-experimental design, combining 3 policy changes in mask mandates in Denmark and massive representative surveys of mask use, contacts & attention to hygiene and distancing advice. Each day 500 persons were surveyed (total N=106,880). (4/6)
Our core finding is that one policy change (mandatory masks in public transport) has a small adverse effect of on distancing attention. Yet, the two other changes (masks in restaurants & in public places) has *positive* effects on adherence and reduces contacts. (5/6)
Our findings suggests that adverse effects on the social behavior of the mask user are, at worst, small and can be buffered by clear communication from the authorities. In other words, mask as a pandemic control measure is not limited by risk-compensation. (6/6)
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