Who Is Wearing Masks In Pierce County And Where?

LAKEWOOD, WA — A new study by the Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department found that roughly 77 percent of Pierce County residents are now wearing masks in public settings. That's good, but needs to be higher, according to county health leaders.

For the study, the health department embedded observers at 20 locations across the county on July 31 and August 1. By observing the general population they found:

• 77 percent wore masks, but only 66 percent wore masks correctly with full coverage.
• Tacoma saw slightly lower mask use at 76 percent, the rest of the County averaged 78 percent.
• Cloth or sponge masks made up 68 percent of masks. 29 percent were surgical masks.
• Mask use varied significantly by location:
  • 96 percent wore masks at farmer's markets
  • 93 percent at drug stores
  • 63 percent at bars and taverns
  • 40 percent at parks and beaches

The health department says they plan to conduct the survey again several times throughout the year to see how mask use changes or improves in Pierce County.

Experts also say the study is a good reminder to everyone that masks work and are an important tool for battling the coronavirus and helping the state reopen. Recent increases in mask use have helped Yakima County reign in the number of coronavirus transmissions there, and the department says that Pierce County has seen a decrease in new coronavirus cases that they believe followed Gov. Inslee's mask requirement mandate.

Finally, the health department is warning that not all masks are of equal quality. While simple cloth masks should be enough to do the job and catch the water droplets that spread the virus, neck gaiter masks may actually be less effective at doing so. The department says one recent study found neck gaiters actually formed smaller water droplets which passed easier from person to person. Conversely, the safest type of mask is a surgical mask, which has a layer of mesh that can help catch those droplets.

Read the full report on the Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department's blog.