Poll: Americans' reported use of face masks surges in past week

The Centers for Disease Control officially recommended the use of face masks in public places on April 3. Gallup polling since April 7 finds the percentage of Americans who report that they have worn a mask on their face outside of their homes has increased from 38% to 62% in just one week. An additional 24% of U.S. adults now say they are considering wearing masks outside the home and just 14% say they have not considered it.

The most recent data from Gallup’s probability-based April 13-14 web panel show that women and college graduates are more likely than their counterparts to say they have used a mask in the past week.

Additionally, those in the Western and Northeastern regions of the U.S. where the outbreaks have been worst are significantly more likely than those in the Midwest and South to have donned face coverings in public. Likewise, residents of cities and suburbs are more likely than those in more rural areas to have worn masks.