A Statistical Analysis of Mandates and Mask Usage in Kansas

Public health officials here and throughout most of the world agree that mask wearing has some value in reducing the rate at which COVID-19 spreads. As a result, numerous states and localities, including the state of Kansas, have issued requirements mandating the use of face masks. Although controll...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Policy File 2021
Main Authors: Dayaratna, Kevin, Michel, Norbert
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
COVID-19
The Heritage Foundation
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Summary:Public health officials here and throughout most of the world agree that mask wearing has some value in reducing the rate at which COVID-19 spreads. As a result, numerous states and localities, including the state of Kansas, have issued requirements mandating the use of face masks. Although controlled studies of mask mandates are rare due to the nature of the pandemic, the optional structure of the statewide mandate in Kansas provides an opportunity to evaluate mask usage and efficacy. Our analysis does not deny the efficacy of mask wearing per se, nor should it discourage the practice. In fact, mask use during the pandemic has been recommended by The Heritage Foundation's Coronavirus Commission guidelines. However, our findings do suggest that public health strategies relying predominantly on mask mandates are inadequate, and thus other initiatives, in addition to mask wearing, should have been a component of policies aimed to limit the spread of the disease. We also analyze one of the few published studies of the Kansas mask mandate and find that the study, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fails to demonstrate that the mandate was effective.