Americans’ Face Mask Usage Varies Greatly by Demographics

Gallup: “It has been more than three months since the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reversed course and recommended that Americans wear face masks in public to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Gallup has been measuring U.S. adults’ use of face masks since early April and has found nearly nine in 10 say they have used one in the past week. Yet, new data on how often masks are being used reveals that less than half of Americans are heeding health officials’ guidance and always covering their nose and mouth when in public, especially when social distancing is difficult to maintain. Forty-four percent of U.S. adults say they “always” wear a mask when outside their homes, and 28% say they do so “very often.” At the same time, three in 10 report doing so less often, including 11% “sometimes,” 4% “rarely” and 14% “never.”

• 44% “always,” 28% “very often” wear mask outside their homes
• Three in 10 “sometimes,” “rarely” or “never” use a mask
• Women, Democrats, Northeasterners most likely to always use mask in public