Nearly 1/3 of Men Aren't Wearing Masks in Public to Help Stop COVID-19
Some men have seemingly missed the memo: Wear your damn mask.
A recent study discovered only 70 percent of men nationwide report wearing a face mask in public to help stop the spread of COVID-19. That means nearly one-third of men aren’t wearing masks around others, effectively ignoring CDC recommendations and state mandates.
The CDC recommends the use of face masks in public settings, calling cloth face coverings a “critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread of the disease, particularly when used universally within communities.”
While there is not a nationwide law making the use of masks mandatory, 34 states and Washington D.C. have issued mask mandates. Non-compliance in some states can result in fines or jail time.
Nonprofit academic medical center Cleveland Clinic conducted the study, which looked at how COVID-19 is impacting men around the U.S. The clinic surveyed 1,000 men nationwide ages 18 and over to compile their findings.
The study also found that only half of men ages 18 to 34 are avoiding gathering in large groups to protect themselves against COVID-19. For men 55 and up, that number spikes to 67 percent of men avoiding larger gatherings.
In addition, 77 percent of men report their stress level has increased as a result of COVID-19. Not only that, but 59 percent of men have felt isolated during the pandemic. Understandably, 45 percent of men say their emotional and mental health has worsened during the pandemic. Yet two-thirds of men say they rarely talk about the impact COVID-19 has had on their mental health.
While 40 percent of men report struggling to stay “healthy” during the pandemic, 45 percent say they feel healthier now than before the COVID-19 outbreak. More than one-fifth (22 percent) of men surveyed report exercising more during quarantine, while 19 percent report eating healthier.
Even with the mental and emotional impact of COVID-19, many men remain hopeful about the future. Though 64 percent of men don’t see an end to the outbreak in sight, a robust 71 percent say they are optimistic about the future as the world continues to battle COVID-19.
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