Face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic-the significance of culture and the symbolic meaning of behavior.
Ann Epidemiol
; 59: 1-4, 2021 07.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1202934
ABSTRACT
During public emergencies, a door can open on the fundamental elements upon which a society's social order is built. The Covid-19 pandemic has opened such a door in societies worldwide. We outline in this commentary some of these social elements and how they may have influenced face mask use during the early stages of the pandemic. The purpose is to expand the perspective on mechanisms that are relevant to consider in pandemic response planning. Our look at these fundamental elements showed that latent aspects of the dominant culture and various symbolic meanings of behaviors can reduce adherence with public health recommendations if they are overlooked in the strategic health plans. We conclude that when policymakers decide non-pharmacological interventions during pandemics, they should take into account fundamental attitudes and beliefs that may influence population behavior. This will require paying attention to variations in things like culture and symbolic meanings of behavior.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Masks
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Ann Epidemiol
Journal subject:
Epidemiology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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