Politicizing the Mask: Political, Economic and Demographic Factors Affecting Mask Wearing Behavior in the USA

Abstract

This paper uses survey data at the county level to explore the factors determining mask-wearing behavior in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Empirical results provide evidence that the tendency to wear a mask while in public is significantly lower in counties where then-candidate Donald Trump found strong support during the 2016 presidential election. In addition, states with mask-wearing mandates tend to witness greater mask-wearing behavior.