COVID-19 Safety Precautions and Food Purchasing in a Food Desert Neighborhood

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Measure most frequent food purchasing locations in the South End of Albany, New York, a low-income majority-minority neighborhood classified as a food desert, and compare differences in the implementation of COVID-19 safety precautions at these locations. METHODS: Over six weeks in October and November 2020, mask usage was observed at neighborhood corner stores and the two nearest supermarkets (Market 32 and Walmart). Data included type of mask wear (i.e. mask worn properly, nose out, mask visible but not worn, and no mask visible), sex, age group, day, and time. RESULTS:The South End Community Health Survey of 185 households in 2 public housing complexes observed residents were more likely to visit corner stores weekly or more for food (50%) versus supermarkets outside the neighborhood (39%) (p=.04). At Walmart and Market 32 respectively, 84.4% (n=775) and 74.6% (n=752) of adults observed wore a mask covering their mouth and nose. Significantly less people wore masks over their mouths and noses at corner stores (48.9%; n=777) than both market sites (p.0001). CONCLUSIONS:In addition to lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables, obtaining food in a food desert neighborhood may have placed an added health burden on underserved communities via potential increased COVID-19 exposures, offering an additional social determinant of health pathway for the increased impact of the pandemic on communities of color. KEYWORDS: Mask, COVID-19, Food Systems, Safety