St. Francois County Face Mask Evaluation

COVID-19 Response
St. Francois County, Missouri

Objective: Decrease transmission of SARs-CoV-2
Strategy: Implement Amended Emergency Face Covering Order
Face Covering Evaluation Report

10/19/2020
Executive Summary
In April 2020, the CDC recommended face coverings be worn by the general public in an effort to
decrease the transmission of SARs-CoV-2 by combining masking with other public health
mitigation measures (distancing, hygienic practices, etc.). Masking is an evidence-based
measure to prevent respiratory droplets which contain viral particles from entering the mucous
membranes of those who are not infected. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html
The purpose of the face covering order is to institute standards for the requirement to use face
coverings when in a public space, with the goal to ensure people protect themselves and others,
particularly those who are vulnerable to poorer outcomes related to COVID-19.
The policy applies to all of St. Francois County and can be found here: http://sfchc.org/covid-19-
updates/face-covering-order/
Background
The first COVID-19 case in a St. Francois County resident was identified on March 22, 2020.
Minimal transmission occurred until June 2020 when an outbreak developed in a local
correction facility. In July 2020, another correctional facility developed an outbreak.
Community transmission remained at a moderate level until August 2020 where a steep
increase can be seen in the reporting of community cases.
On August 18, 2020, the President of Parkland Health Center reached out to local partners to
inform them that the hospital was nearing capacity. This was due to an increase in community
exposures of their staff and increasing hospitalization rates. The threat to the local healthcare
system prompted the board of health to start discussions regarding a masking order. The board
of health reviewed sample policies from several other Missouri counties and drafted a policy
similar to that of Cape Girardeau County.
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COVID-19 Response
Public comment was requested on the subject of a mandatory mask order from August 28,
2020-September 1, 2020 at 12pm. The board met in a special session on September 1 st to
discuss revisions of the draft policy.
On September 15th, the board voted to enact the policy to start on September 21, 2020. The
order was amended on September 21st.
Methodology
Observations were completed in the community at locations in various municipalities.
Comparisons were done pre-order and post-order at the same locations. The observations are
counts of the number of persons wearing masks properly, number of persons wearing masks
incorrectly, and number of persons not wearing masks.
A brief survey was taken on a Health Center social media platform to determine views and
perceptions regarding masking and the policy, as well as access to masks.
Epidemiological data is evaluated on an ongoing basis and are provided in the report.
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COVID-19 Response
Sales tax revenue will be assessed in November to determine the impact to the local economy.
Results
Evaluation Questions:
• To what extent do individuals and organizations participate in mask wearing in
community settings?
• To what extent do individuals’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, facilitate or hinder
mask-wearing?
• What is the relationship between implementation of policies for mask-wearing and
COVID-19 transmission, morbidity, and mortality?
• To what extent did a mask policy impact the local economy of Farmington, MO?
Pre-order observations:
Mask Observation Data Sheet

# wearing masking # wearing Masks # not wearing
Location Date Time properly incorrectly masks
Restaurant A 9/13/2020 1200 6 0 24
Restaurant B 9/5/2020 1700 9 0 27
Home Goods Store A 9/19/2020 1400 53 8 34
Convenient Store A 9/12/2020 1200 4 0 17
Convenient Store B 9/15/2020 730 7 0 12
Grocery Store A 9/16/2020 1300 130 13 30
Grocery Store B 9/19/2020 1500 72 7 5
Sporting Event A 9/10/2020 1800 2 0 55
Sporting Event B 9/12/2020 1000 1 2 47
TOTAL 269 30 200
PERCENT WEARING
PROPERLY 54%
***Restaurant data excluded
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COVID-19 Response
Post-order observations:
Mask Observation Data Sheet

# wearing masking # wearing Masks # not wearing
Location Date Time properly incorrectly masks
Restaurant A
Not observed post-mandate initiation due to capacity.
Restaurant B
Home Goods Store A 10/8/2020 1500 23 2 10
Convenient Store A 10/9/2020 1700 5 2 19
Convenient Store B 10/9/2020 730 6 0 11
Grocery Store A 10/14/2020 1300 129 29 53
Grocery Store B 10/8/2020 1500 38 2 2
Sporting Event A 9/21/2020 1800 11 0 68
Sporting Event B 9/28/2020 1100 3 0 33
TOTAL 215 35 196
PERCENT WEARING
PROPERLY 48%
The data collected shows that 6% fewer persons are wearing masks in public spaces since the
mandate was enacted.
Limitations:
• Minimal observations were made due to the demand of disease investigation and
pandemic response.
• Very small sample size.
• Timing could affect observation data.
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COVID-19 Response
Online Survey:
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COVID-19 Response
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COVID-19 Response
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COVID-19 Response
Note: Prior to the order, public comment was taken by the board to which a board member
reported 52% in favor, 47% against, and 1% undecided.
Limitations:
• The survey was posted to a single social media platform and may not be representative
of the population.
• Some survey respondents were not residents of SFC. Also, most respondents were from
zip code 63640 which may not be representative of the total SFC population.
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COVID-19 Response
Epidemiological data:
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COVID-19 Response
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COVID-19 Response
Economic Impact:
Sales tax data is available the month after the accrual month, meaning October will be available
in November. At that time, the Health Center will assess the potential impact of a mask
mandate on local sales.
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COVID-19 Response
Conclusion
At this time, the observations show no impact to public adoption of universal masking in public
spaces as a result of the face covering order. The data collected shows that 6% fewer persons
are wearing masks in public spaces since the mandate was enacted. This could also be due to
generalized “COVID fatigue” experienced by the public throughout the pandemic.
It may be early in the evaluation process to assert correlation with epidemiological data. In
order for masking policies to be effective, they must be readily adopted by a strong majority of
the public and other stakeholders. The results of this evaluation indicate that a significant
portion of the population is not masking in public spaces. This impedes the policy’s
effectiveness on disease transmission.
The social media survey found that most respondents have access to masks, but this may be a
challenge for some. Available survey data shows less people in favor of the mandate than prior
to the order based on data from emails sent to the board for public comment. More education
is needed on how masks work, the importance of masking, care of masks, and other mitigation
measures.
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St. Francois County Face Mask Evaluation

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COVID-19 Response

St. Francois County, Missouri

Face Covering Evaluation Report

Mask Observation Data Sheet

Restaurant A 9/13/2020 1200 6 0 24

Restaurant B 9/5/2020 1700 9 0 27

Home Goods Store A 9/19/2020 1400 53 8 34

Convenient Store A 9/12/2020 1200 4 0 17

Convenient Store B 9/15/2020 730 7 0 12

Grocery Store A 9/16/2020 1300 130 13 30

Grocery Store B 9/19/2020 1500 72 7 5

Sporting Event A 9/10/2020 1800 2 0 55

Sporting Event B 9/12/2020 1000 1 2 47

TOTAL 269 30 200

Mask Observation Data Sheet

Home Goods Store A 10/8/2020 1500 23 2 10

Convenient Store A 10/9/2020 1700 5 2 19

Convenient Store B 10/9/2020 730 6 0 11

Grocery Store A 10/14/2020 1300 129 29 53

Grocery Store B 10/8/2020 1500 38 2 2

Sporting Event A 9/21/2020 1800 11 0 68

Sporting Event B 9/28/2020 1100 3 0 33

TOTAL 215 35 196

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