Compliance with the Three W’s in the United States High but Varied, According to Self-reports

Nick Hart, President of the Data Foundation

Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control recommends that Americans wear face masks, wash their hands, and practice social distancing (the 3 W’s: wear, wash, wait). According to the COVID Impact Survey, between April and June an average of 72 percent of households were practicing the 3 W’s. For households who had a friend or family member die from COVID-19, 79 percent practiced the 3 W’s.  

Rates of adherence to combined activities of wearing facemasks, social distancing, and washing hands increased between April and June. In April, 68 percent of households were practicing all 3 W’s, up to 71 percent in May and 76 percent in June. 

Major differences in compliance are apparent across the country. Households with at least a bachelor’s were more likely to comply with all three practices (79%) than those with only a high school diploma (66%). As with many behavioral practices from the COVID Impact Survey, men reported lower compliance (67%) than women (76%). Also, major distinctions between high-income and low-income households. Those with incomes over $125,000 in a year reported 83 percent adherence, compared to 67 percent for household incomes of $30,000 or lower.

Regionally, many sampled states and cities far exceed the national average, including New York (87%), Colorado (81%), California (81%), Pittsburgh, PA (86%), and Baltimore, MD (86%). Two areas in particular are considerably lower than the national average for practicing the 3 W’s: Montana (60%) and Phoenix, AZ.

About the COVID Impact Survey

The COVID Impact Survey is an effort to provide national and regional statistics about health, the economy, and social dynamics in the United States. The COVID Impact Survey is unique in that its methodological approach relies on an address-based random sample and also includes a range of questions about physical health, mental health, and economic security on a single survey. The results provide reliable estimates at the national level as well as for 10 states and 8 metropolitan areas, including for California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Oregon, Texas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Phoenix, and Pittsburgh.