Effectiveness of face masks

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’.