Document Type
Student Presentation
Presentation Date
4-23-2021
Faculty Sponsor
Caile Spear
Abstract
Masks, 6’ distance and handwashing are the primary methods to prevent spread of COVID-19. Idaho had a rising number of COVID-19 cases and no statewide mask mandate to prevent transmission. Boise City Public Health Emergency Order No. 20-13 mask mandate started on 11/23/20 and Nampa had no mandate. Our research question focused on: How does a city mask mandate impact usage?
Observation locations were Boise, ID and Nampa, ID. Locations included 2 similar grocery stores, 2 similar general stores, and one gas station. Every 3rd person exiting the store was counted. Mask use criteria include whether the subject wore a mask, type of mask worn, and if mask was worn correctly. Observation sessions were either 41 persons or 30 minutes long.
Based on 1,975 observations there was a difference between mask use in Boise and Nampa.
Boise City, mask mandate, had a higher percentage (95.67%) of people using masks and (94.23%) used them correctly. And Nampa, with no mask mandate, had lower mask usage (68.44%) and higher incorrect usage (9.09%). Overall, the mask mandate is an effective means of increasing the use of masks and reducing COVID-19 transmission.
Recommended Citation
Nieto Ordosgoitia, Maria; Nguyen, Jennifer; Hoard, Christin; McLeod, Kaitlyn; Oleson, Sydney; Chen, Cathy; Skarvan, Sophia; Knapp, Jeremy; Clark, Renae; Spear, Caile; and Graff, Robert, "Mask Utilization Between Boise and Nampa, ID: Comparison Mask Mandate vs No Mandate" (2021). 2021 Undergraduate Research Showcase. 78.
https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/under_showcase_2021/78