Table 4 Overview of findings
Theme | April 2020 | October 2020 |
|---|---|---|
Trust and governmental policy | Uncertainty due to contradicting communication from health authorities and scientific experts regarding effectiveness of face masks | Diminished trust in health authorities Contradicting communication and absence of mandates caused continued uncertainty concerning usefulness of face masks |
Perceived benefits | Uncertainty about benefits | Protecting self and others; reducing risk of infection; reminder of pandemic; being able to go out |
Perceived risks | Hardly considered | Concerns about face masks becoming "normal"; anonymity; wrong handling |
Social exclusion and prejudice | Participants ridiculed mask-wearing people for being hysterical | Absence of mandates led to low uptake ➔ socially awkward to wear a mask |
Decision-making in the absence of mandates | Hardly any decisions taken (lack of information and evidence) | Absence of mandates made participants make individual decisions when to wear them |