Mask Adherence to Mask Mandate: College Campus Versus the Surrounding Community.

Adherence to masking recommendations and requirements continues to have a wide variety of impacts in terms of viral spread during the ongoing pandemic. As governments, schools, and private sector businesses formulate decisions around mask requirements, it is important to observe real-life adherence to policies and discern subsequent implications. The CDC MASCUP! observational study tracked mask-wearing habits of students on higher-education campuses across the country to collect stratified data about mask typologies, correct mask usage, and differences in behaviors at locations on a college campus and in the surrounding community. Our findings from a single institution include a significant adherence difference between on-campus (86%) and off-campus sites (72%) across the course of this study as well as a notable change in adherence at the on-campus sites with the expiration of a county-wide governmental mandate, despite continuance of a university-wide mandate. This study, completed on and around the campus of East Tennessee State University in Washington County TN, was able to pivotally extract information regarding increased adherence on campus versus the surrounding community. Changes were also seen when mask mandates were implemented and when they expired.

Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors with mask use and vaccines for COVID-19 prevention at 13 colleges and universities, April 2021.

Objectives: To understand college and university student knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) regarding COVID-19 prevention strategies. Methods: Thirteen colleges and universities volunteered to conduct an anonymous electronic survey in April 2021 to assess students' KAB about mask use and vaccination to prevent COVID-19. Results: Three-quarters of students indicated they "Always" wore a mask correctly when in public indoor places. Of those not yet vaccinated, 55% expressed concern about unknown side effects. Over half of students were unsure or believe they do not need to continue wearing masks after vaccination and older students more likely to be vaccinated. There was a significant inverse correlation between intention of getting vaccinated and intention to attend a large indoor party without a mask. Conclusions: Colleges and universities are important to community efforts to slow the COVID-19 pandemic. The KAB findings can inform approaches to increase overall mask use and vaccination uptake among young students.