Coronavirus: Texans Wear Masks At Lower Rates Than Elsewhere

AUSTIN, TX — Amid soaring rates of new cases of the coronavirus and related hospitalizations, Texans wear protective face coverings less than the national average, a newly released study found.

According to new national and state surveys taken on Monday and published by leading market research platform 1Q (www.1Q.com), findings show fewer Texans (64 percent) wear masks "always" or "often" compared to the national average (67 percent), and much less than other large states hit by the pandemic, including Florida (71 percent), California (84 percent), and New York (85 percent).

The state surveys also feature breakdowns of specific environments where Texans believe mask wearing is important, including grocery stores, restaurants, bars, and retail stores/malls. Notably, 22 percent of Texans say wearing masks in restaurants is not important, 18 percent say wearing masks in bars is not important and 13 percent say it's not important in retail stores and malls.

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Notably, researchers noted, the results follow the CDC issuing updated guidance issued this week that nearly 180,000 Americans are projected to die from coronavirus by October, while a universal face mask order — something that exists universally in states like California and New York, but only in specific Texas counties — would save 33,000 lives.

To see the full results, click here.

Among national headlines, the survey found:

• 84 percent of Americans say mask wearing is important, but 67 percent report wearing masks "always" or "often"
• Percentage of Americans "extremely concerned" by pandemic jumps 16 percent in the past two weeks (23 percent to 39 percent)
• Three-Quarters (76 percent) of Americans concerned to be around non-mask wearers
• 83 percent of Americans support stores and restaurants who enforce mask compliance

The digital surveys sought insights from 500 adults (age 18 or older) in the U.S., with more outreach in Texas, California, Florida an New York conducted this past Monday by 1Q on its proprietary nationwide platform of more than 1 million members. The margin of error for the survey is 4.38 percent, researchers said.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in late April decreed mask wearing as optional, barring city mayors and county judges from issuing fines for those opting to go without protective face coverings. "We make clear that no jurisdiction can impose any type of penalty or fine," Abbott said in declaring mask wearing as an optional tactic on April 27. "My executive order, it supersedes local orders, with regard to any type of fine or penalty for anyone not wearing a mask."

In light of record-setting levels of the respiratory illness, however, he now is strongly urging everyone to wear masks when out in public. "When you go out, you should wear a face covering or mask," Abbott said during a Monday news conference. "I also know that wearing a mask will help us keep Texas open."