Table 2. Current behaviours with respect to public health measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
| PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURE | FINDINGS | QUOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Wearing Face Masks in Public Places | • Situations where mask wearing were more likely: ○ Any indoor public space ○ When physical distancing is not always possible, including outdoors ○ Where wearing a mask is mandatory |
“We’re really getting mixed messages about masks, although for now, because it’s an easy thing for me to do, I do use them when I go to the store, or where I can’t social distance.”—Participant 41, Focus Group 7, 60+ year old female |
| • Situations where mask wearing were less likely: ○ When eating or drinking ○ At larger family gatherings, where mask wearing may deemed to be culturally inappropriate ○ When it is not mandatory (e.g. a small town) ○ When unable to do so for medical or health reasons ○ Sometimes people forget to bring their masks with them, so will run a brief errand in an indoor public setting without a mask | ||
| “There are situations where 100 percent I don’t feel like wearing a mask, and I don’t do it. And maybe–and I know that’s not necessarily the best thing to do, but I know also when its 30 degrees out and I’m walking to a lineup, I don’t necessarily want to wear a mask for longer than I necessarily have to.”- Participant 26, Focus Group 2, 18–29 year old female | ||
| Physical Distancing | • Situations where physical distancing was more likely: ○ When interacting with individual outside of family or social bubbles ○ If members of their social bubble were more susceptible to COVID ○ When planning social gatherings with friends not in their bubble ○ When structural factors are in place to facilitate physical distancing (e.g., Plexiglass shields) |
“My friends…we sort of pick our circle, but we keep it pretty limited, and there’s an understanding that each of us is going to be safe, we’re still going to see each other and we might, you know, exchange a high five or a hug, but we’re–we’re all doing the–the precautions that are mentioned: the masks, the sanitizer. I’m going plug that app so hard. Like just general hygiene.”–Participant 1, Focus Group 1, 18–29 year old female |
| • Situations where physical distancing was less likely: ○ With members of family, friends or others in their social bubble (if they had one) ○ When outdoors ○ When using precautions (e.g., face mask, hand sanitizer) | ||
| Staying Home When Ill | • Situations where people were more likely to stay home: ○ If experiencing minor symptoms (e.g., runny nose) ○ A few would stay home if really ill |
“So come winter if I actually get a real flu, am I going to still be able to do my job? Yes, am I going to suffer while doing it?…If I don’t get paid, I don’t have an option…so yes I will go to work if I have to. With a mask, using as many precautions as I can, but unfortunately that’s the way my life is right now…I don’t think I’m alone in that.”–Participant 50, Focus Group 6, 30–59 year old female |
| • Situations where people were less likely to stay home: ○ Working in a job that could not be done from home with little or no sick time ○ When something needed to be done that would prevent them from staying home (e.g., having an appointment, getting groceries, caring for a family member) | ||
| Avoiding High-Risk Spaces | • Situations where people were more likely to go out: ○ With their social bubbles at socially distanced tables ○ At times, or to places, that are less busy ○ If establishments were following public health guidelines |
“The regulations at restaurants and bars are so restricted already, that I–and they’re also following every single one of the guidelines. . . So I feel safe-ish, especially on a patio or something.”- Participant 4, Focus Group 1, 18–29 year old female |
| • Situations where people were less likely to go out: ○ When the risk of contracting COVID is perceived to be too high (e.g., high case counts) | ||
| Contact Tracing Apps | • A number of people had downloaded a contact tracing app • Some were planning to download the national tracing app, COVID Alert, when active in Alberta • Some had difficulties with downloading the app, or were not “tech savvy” |
“Honestly…I like the sort of level of normalcy we have, so I’m pretty much ready to jump on board with any sort of measure [alluding to the app] that is easier than like social distancing.”–Participant 11, Focus Group 5, 18–29 year old male |