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Effectiveness of face masks

28 Jul 2020

Q. In your opinion, how effective are face masks or coverings at preventing the spread of Covid-19?

    Gender Age group
  Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
Very effective 19% 21% 17% 22% 19% 16%
Quite effective 46% 43% 49% 40% 47% 51%
Not that effective 20% 22% 17% 24% 19% 17%
Not effective at all 5% 7% 4% 5% 7% 4%
Unsure 10% 7% 13% 8% 9% 12%
Base (n) 1,058 538 520 341 331 386

 

    State
  Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
Very effective 19% 18% 19% 20% 19% 13%
Quite effective 46% 49% 56% 34% 43% 42%
Not that effective 20% 19% 14% 24% 25% 26%
Not effective at all 5% 4% 5% 10% 2% 6%
Unsure 10% 11% 6% 13% 12% 13%
Base (n) 1,058 352 239 220 88 110

 

  • There is widespread belief that using face masks can reduce the spread of the virus, 19% think they are very effective and 46% quite effective. Just 5% thinking they are not effective at all effective in preventing the spread of Covid-19.
  • Victorians are most likely to believe masks are effective at preventing the spread of Covid-19 with 19% believing they are ‘very effective’ and 56% saying ‘quite effective’.
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