Researchers analyzed a June 2020 Statistics Canada COVID19 survey to find that men, non-immigrants, young adults and residents in rural areas are less likely to wear masks, wash hands, socially distance, and avoid crowds.
They are now among the highest spreader groups in the second wave.
Policymakers could target them with additional public-health interventions.
94% of survey participants would wash hands, over 80% would socially distance and avoid crowds, and 67% would wear masks. Seniors wore masks and avoided crowds a lot more than young adults. University degree holders were most likely to wear masks and avoid crowds compared to trades certificate holders, who were least likely to follow all four precautionary behaviours.
But, policy-makers, be careful - people often want others to think they’re following social norms, even if they’re not actually doing so.
Researchers hope that more people have increased their vigilance since June.
Original article:
Gender, age, education can predict use of pandemic precautions
Original study: