The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

We've become used to wearing masks during COVID. But does that mean the habit will stick?

  • Written by Holly Seale, Associate professor, UNSW

Mask mandates are in place in Victoria[1] and New South Wales[2] as these states continue to see COVID cases in the community. And public health experts[3] have argued face masks will continue to be an important measure in our fight against the virus for some time to come.

Evidence shows masks are effective[4] at reducing the spread[5] of COVID-19 in the community.

However, masks won’t always be compulsory, particularly outside outbreak situations. In most Australian states and territories at present, masks are not mandatory but are recommended in certain settings[6], such as where physical distancing is difficult.

But moving forward — as more people get vaccinated and outbreaks hopefully become fewer and smaller — is mask use likely to stick?

Leaving it up to the public

In recent weeks, we’ve seen announcements from the United Kingdom[7] and Singapore[8] that they’re shifting their approach to COVID-19 restrictions, moving to a new way of “living with the virus”.

In the UK, along with the reopening of all businesses, and lifting of attendance caps at events, social distancing and mask wearing will become matters of personal responsibility.

Select authorities may still require people to wear masks in certain settings, such as in hospitals or on public transport. For example, masks will remain compulsory[9] on London’s public transport network.

But from July 19[10], the national legal requirement to wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and in other enclosed spaces will end.

Cloth masks on a table. Masks effectively reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Shutterstock[11]

In Singapore and the UK, the governments have noted the community’s behaviour[12] will be part of the solution.

Authorities hope that even without mandates, people will continue to wear masks in high-risk situations[13], such as crowded and enclosed spaces.

Will discretionary mask use work?

While we know mandates increase mask use[14] substantially, the decision to wear a mask is influenced by many factors[15] beyond whether or not there are penalties in place for non-compliance. A person’s age, level of income, where they live and cultural norms can all play a role.

A review on mask use[16] to prevent respiratory infections, conducted before COVID-19, found people are more likely to wear a mask when they feel at increased risk of infection, or when they think the outcome of getting sick is severe.

Wearing a mask is also motivated by a shared sense of responsibility and by perceived social norms (those unwritten rules or beliefs we consider acceptable in our community). We often take cues from people we’re close to, especially in uncertain times.

Our research[17] found perceived pressure from different avenues including employers, mass media, government and family can all play a role in increasing mask use.

Read more: Living with COVID: is now the right time for England to lift all restrictions?[18]

It’s difficult to know whether as countries move away from mandates, and leave it up to individuals, we’re likely to see ongoing mask use in the community.

But it’s worth looking to the Asian experience. Some Asian countries have a longer history of wearing masks, both for protection against pollution and for protection against infection, especially since SARS[19] in 2003.

In Hong Kong[20] after the outbreak, the proportion of people who reported wearing a mask when experiencing flu-like symptoms declined sharply from 74% in June 2003 to 39% in September 2003. But self-reported health-related behaviours, including mask use, were still much greater in the period after SARS compared to before it.

Researchers tracking these trends noted that in the face of SARS, people in Hong Kong came to accept mask use as part of their “civic responsibility[21]”.

One study[22] looking at photographs of settings such as grocery stores and markets in six different countries in early 2020 mapped huge variations in mask use. This ranged from a high of 97% in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (in Asia) through to 4% in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In some of these countries the level of mask use may have been influenced by government recommendations or mandates in place at the time.

People wearing masks in Melbourne. Wearing a mask can be motivated by a shared sense of responsibility and perceived social norms. Luis Ascui/AAP

There is an element of doubt as to whether masks will continue to be used in countries with more individualist cultures such as the US and Australia (“I often do my own thing”), as opposed to collectivist cultures[23] like those found more often in Asia (“My happiness depends very much on the happiness of those around me”).

Vaccination status could also affect mask use in the community. People who are vaccinated against COVID-19 — as a high proportion are[24] in countries like the UK and Singapore — may be less inclined to wear a mask, compared to those who are unvaccinated.

The new normal?

If we’re trying to shift the social norm around masks, and encourage their ongoing use (without mandates), it’s important we evolve our messaging. This includes relevant reminders around times when masks would be most beneficial, such as:

  • encouraging people to put a mask on straight away if they’re out in public and start to feel unwell

  • encouraging mask use in higher-risk locations such as on public transport and especially when visiting people in aged care and hospitals.

Continuing to frame the use of masks[25] as a social behaviour is critical. We don’t send our kids to school with peanut butter sandwiches in case there’s someone with an allergy. Likewise, wearing a mask is a simple action we can take to protect those who may be vulnerable.

Read more: From scary pumpkins to bridal bling, how masks are becoming a normal part of our lives in Australia[26]

References

  1. ^ Victoria (www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au)
  2. ^ New South Wales (www.nsw.gov.au)
  3. ^ public health experts (intouchpublichealth.net.au)
  4. ^ masks are effective (www.sciencedirect.com)
  5. ^ reducing the spread (gh.bmj.com)
  6. ^ in certain settings (www.covid19.act.gov.au)
  7. ^ United Kingdom (www.theguardian.com)
  8. ^ Singapore (www.abc.net.au)
  9. ^ will remain compulsory (www.bbc.com)
  10. ^ from July 19 (www.bbc.com)
  11. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  12. ^ the community’s behaviour (www.straitstimes.com)
  13. ^ in high-risk situations (www.bbc.com)
  14. ^ increase mask use (www.sciencedirect.com)
  15. ^ influenced by many factors (journals.sagepub.com)
  16. ^ review on mask use (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  17. ^ Our research (bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com)
  18. ^ Living with COVID: is now the right time for England to lift all restrictions? (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ since SARS (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  20. ^ Hong Kong (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  21. ^ civic responsibility (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  22. ^ study (academic.oup.com)
  23. ^ collectivist cultures (www.pnas.org)
  24. ^ a high proportion are (ourworldindata.org)
  25. ^ the use of masks (www.bmj.com)
  26. ^ From scary pumpkins to bridal bling, how masks are becoming a normal part of our lives in Australia (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/weve-become-used-to-wearing-masks-during-covid-but-does-that-mean-the-habit-will-stick-163971

The Times Features

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Benefits of Getting an Online Medical Certificate

Everyone has experienced it. Rather than taking a break, you drag yourself to the doctor's office, where you have to wait in lengthy lines, and then you have to hurry to get that...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping