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Mandating Face Masks?

Despite research showing that masks help stop the spread of COVID-19, they’ve become a highly politicized statement in the US.  Blind, an anonymous community of verified professionals with 3.6+ million users, asked its users the following questions:

  • How often do you wear your face mask?
  • Do you think mandating the wearing of the masks is an infringement of personal liberties?
  • Personally, is wearing a mask a political statement?
  • Which degree of social distancing are you abiding by?

Key Learnings 7/02- 7/06 (4,429 Responses) 

    • 59% of Professionals responded “Always – every time I go outside” to how often they  wear your face mask
    • Only 2% answered “Never – I don’t wear a mask”
    • 11% of surveyed professionals believe mandating the wearing of the masks is an infringement of personal liberties
  • Only 5% of surveyed professionals believe wearing a mask a political statement
    • 7% of Amazon professionals believe wearing a mask a political statement, compared to 0% of Capital One professionals 
  • Only 5% of surveyed professionals are not leaving their house at all
    • 42% of surveyed professionals are “casually, but abiding by all social distancing suggestions (6 ft apart/ mask)” 
    • 51% of surveyed professionals  are social distancing by only leaving the house “for necessities (i.e groceries /walk the dog)”

Goldman Sachs tried putting a number on the effect of face masks on the U.S. economy. The results indicated that implementing a national policy requiring face coverings could prevent a 5% hit to national GDP, the bank’s chief economist wrote. The reasoning behind the 5% followed the logic of → more people wearing masks → fewer cases of COVID-19 → no need to close businesses again. Goldman said mask-wearing could partially substitute for those closures, which it projects would knock 5% from GDP.

One professional at Amazon says, “For anyone not wearing a mask where required, Why not? I’m legitimately curious about people who don’t wear masks in places like gyms that have recently opened, ignoring the health risks. When comparing the risk vs effort it takes to just put a mask on your face, why choose the risk?”