According to polling data shared with Forbes, a habit that could prove more important as the new omicron variant of the coronaviruses spreads, is the habit of more than a third of U.S. adults to wear a mask.
A street vendor wearing a mask serves food in New York City.
The images are from the same company.
The number of people who wear a mask at all times outside of their home has gone up, but still less than in January, when 75% wore a mask all the time.
Democrats are more likely to wear a mask than Republicans, with over half of Democrats saying they do so all the time between October 22 and November 20.
Only Democrats are more likely to wear a mask than the unvaccinated, with half of them wearing a mask.
34% of those ages 18-34, 34% of those 35-54, and 34% of those 55 and up wear a mask, reflecting that trend.
Republicans in that age group are the least likely to wear a mask all the time, and Independents in that age group are the most likely to wear a mask.
Independents are more likely to wear a mask than Democrats and Republicans, with Independents in suburban and rural areas more likely to wear a mask than Democrats and Republicans.
To get a robust sample of respondents, the polling data is combined of three polling waves from the same company. The polling was done on a per date basis.
What to watch for.
Whether mask wearing will increase amid a recent nationwide rise in Covid-19 cases and as the omicron variant sparks new concerns about the coronaviruses. As of the end of November, 34% of people said they wore a mask all the time between November 19-22, compared to 32% on November 5. The news of the omicron variant broke after the poll.
The key background.
The use of masks has been a key public health strategy and a major controversy, with mask mandates sparking protests and litigation, even as scientific evidence shows the effectiveness of mask-wearing at curtailing the spread of Covid-19. As cases have fluctuated, mask requirements have been imposed and lifted, with nearly every state dropping their mandate earlier this year as vaccinations increased and cases fell before many places reimposed them over the summer in light of the delta variant. A number of mask mandates had been lifted in recent weeks as the delta surge subsided, but the omicron strain was first detected last week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises unvaccinated people to wear masks indoors and that Americans who are vaccine-free wear masks in areas with higher transmission of the disease.
The Ipsos Coronaviruses index is a collection of data.
Biden says there is no new federal covid restrictions due to the Omicron variant.
There is a mask advisory due to a new variant of Omicron.
(Forbes)
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Coverage and live updates on the coronaviruses.
