New Article Analyzes Face Mask Wearing

Leslie Krohn and I wrote an article titled “Analyzing Behavioral Implications of Face Mask Wearing to Slow COVID-19 in Organizational Workplaces” that has been accepted for publication in the next issue of the International Journal of Applied Research on Public Health Management (IJARPHM). The publication date has not yet been determined.

The article analyzes the policy and tactics required to follow the recommendations of scientists and health professionals concerning wearing masks to slow the spread of disease in a pandemic. The abstract is below:

As the nation battles COVID-19, we analyze the policy and tactics required to follow the recommendations of scientists and health professionals to achieve physical and psychological well-being by wearing masks to slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2. An online survey from a business-focused social media network is employed to understand the issues for and against mask wearing. The survey findings showed that 60% of organizations have created some kind of health pact, pledge, or commitment and that most plans identified impact everyone who interacts with a business, not just employees. The findings do not shed much light on what drives people to opt out of mask wearing. The practical findings are that there is a need for achieving, understanding, and subsequent buy-in of mask wearing that would be helped with a solid plan. The limitations of the research are primarily the small size of the convenience sample and the fact that the population may be restricted. Replication of this type of study with a formal, qualitative approach aimed at populations of interest is highly recommended.

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, science, mask, social distance, plan, policy, acceptance