Connect Bridgeport
Ad
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Community News
    • Anniversaries
    • Announcements
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Calendar
    • Churches
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Directory
    • Farmer's Market
    • File Complaint
    • Greeting Cards
    • Library
    • Lost And Found
    • Obituaries
    • Parks & Recreation
    • Sponsorships
  • Trading Post
    • For Sale
    • Local Deals
    • Services
    • Yard Sales
  • Visitors
  • Relocation
  • Education
  • Jobs
  • Alumni
Ad

WVU Partners with CDC to Conduct Mask Observation Study, Reports Encouraging Baseline Results

By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on October 17, 2020

FROM WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
 
The rate of COVID-19 positivity among young adults has been higher than other age groups during July and August.
 
And, while the West Virginia University community is no stranger to doing its part to help suppress the positivity rate and keep others safe, there are significant factors that may result in WVU students letting down their guard when it comes to mitigation strategies – in particular, wearing a mask. 
 
To combat this challenge, the WVU School of Public Health is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a seven-week mask observation study to estimate the percentage of people within the WVU community wearing masks correctly and, ultimately, increase the proportion of people who use masks correctly.
 
According to the CDC, one of the reasons for the increased positivity rates among the younger demographic may be that young adults have less concern about future health than older adults given that the disease severity tends to be lower at young ages. Use of face masks has been shown to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
 
“If students at WVU and other Institutes of Higher Learning do not follow recommended mitigation measures, such as wearing masks, the resulting spread of COVID-19 may adversely affect plans to continue in-person teaching,” said Keith Zullig, chair and professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and principal investigator for the study. “More importantly, becoming infected with COVID-19 could lead to other significant health issues, regardless of age, so it’s important to do everything we can to prevent spread.”
 
Observing mask use can assist universities with determining the adherence among students, faculty and staff to inform public health decision-making.
 
For WVU’s study, eight students from the School of Public Health underwent observer training the week of Sept. 28 and began observing mask use at various locations throughout campus and the local community the week of Oct. 5. They will continue to conduct observation sessions through Nov. 22.
 
“Our observational methodology is designed to calculate an estimate of the percentage of people wearing masks correctly in public indoor settings within the larger population of WVU,” Zullig said. “A subtle data collection tool is being used to keep observations covert to avoid the Hawthorne effect – the alteration of behavior by study subjects due to their awareness of being observed.”
 
To that end, locations and the times of when the observations are taking place are not being disclosed.
 
Following are the results from the first round (Week 0) of observations, ending Oct. 9, during which 389 people were observed. Of these observations:
  • 331 (85.1%) wore masks.
  • 58 (14.9 %) did not wear masks.
  • 278 (84%) of those wearing masks wore them correctly. 
Additionally, observers noted the most common mask type was a cloth mask (N = 203 (61.3%).
 
“Although we’re encouraged by this positive, baseline data, these numbers still translate into about one in four people not wearing a mask correctly,” Zullig said. “We’ll continue to report our findings on a weekly basis between now and the week of Nov. 22, with the hope these numbers will improve.
 
Our ultimate goal is to strengthen mitigation strategies and training while increasing the understanding of the importance of proper mask-wearing.”
 

Share


Sign up/stay connected

Create your profile to start adding photos, posting comments, and more.

SIGN UP

Ad
Ad
Ad

Related Articles

  • Final Words: WVU President Gordon Gee Talks about His Career as 45-Year Run Set to Conclude July 14

Blogs [ view all ]

  • Photo

    From the Bench: Recalling My Friend D.D....

    It was mentioned in the obituary. In fact, it was very concise and to the point in a memorial so loaded with good deeds an...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Time Travel: Johnson Avenue "Pre-Sheetz"...

    Look familiar? If it doesn't, it's because today this area of Johnson Avenue is completely built up. Th...

    Posted by Dick Duez

  • Photo

    Crisis Chronicles: It Takes a Village

    Around 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30th, my phone started buzzing with weather alerts. This spring has been particularly int...

    Posted by Tim Curry

  • Photo

    It's Happening: Baylor Comes Home

    Many have been following the journey of 2-year-old Baylor Waggamon since early-2025 when he was awaiting a heart transplan...

    Posted by Julie Perine

  • Photo

    The Grapevine: Enjoying the Wheeling Sym...

    Once again, the residents of Harrison County will have the opportunity to celebrate the Fourth of July with a performa...

    Posted by Rosalyn Queen

  • Photo

    ToquiNotes: Unlucky 13-Year Anniversary ...

    It was August 20, 1970, when what many will consider the worst storm in Bridgeport’s history took place. A torna...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

Calendar [ view all ]

Tue
8

Kidding Around Yoga (Bridgeport Public Library)

Tue
8

NARFE MONTHLY MEETING

Thu
10

Tech Savvy: Rebooted (Bridgeport Public Library)

 



Bridgeport, WV
Editorial Board Advertise Privacy Policy Contact Us
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS

©2014 Connect Bridgeport.