Poll: Mask use linked to more accurate perceptions of COVID

More than any demographic, attitudinal or behavioral variable analyzed in the survey, Americans’ demonstrated understanding of the coronavirus is predictive of mask use — a key insight for public health officials. Most directly relevant to their likelihood to take precautionary measures is Americans’ awareness that COVID-19 can be spread by people who are infected but show no symptoms. Overall, 69% of Americans say this is “definitely true,” while 25% say it is “probably true,” and 6% say it is probably or definitely false.

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Though a relatively small proportion of Americans say it is probably or definitely false that the coronavirus can be spread by infected people without symptoms, this belief is associated with a substantially lower likelihood to wear masks in public. Overall, 10% of Americans say they have not worn a mask when outside their home in the past seven days — but this figure rises to 34% among those who believe asymptomatic transmission is false.

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