Dataset: percent of population covered by local government mask orders in the US.

Philip Jacobs,Arvi Ohinmaa

doi:10.12688/f1000research.26967.1

Abstract

We present a dataset covering the extent of local mask orders between April and August 2020, in states which did not have statewide orders (and hence 100% coverage). We obtained data from national and regional newspaper and broadcaster web-based articles, and city and county web pages.The information that we abstracted included: city or county of ordinance, date that the ordinance took effect, and the population of the city or county. In 14 states, city or county governments issued mask-wearing orders, and from our dataset it can been seen that the median population covered in the states was 37.5%; the coverage ranged from 1.6% (New Hampshire) to 77.1% (Arizona). The dataset can be accessed from: https://doi.org/10.7939/DVN/A9C1UU.

Highlights

By August 9, 2020, governors in 35 US states had issued statewide mandates for persons to wear COVID-19 protective face masks[1]
Mask wearing in public has become a bulwark against COVID-19, and it is desirable to determine the population proportions in the states that are only covered by local ordinances
Starting with the 14 states with only local mandates, we searched for lists of counties and towns or cities that introduced mask orders effective September 9 or earlier

Summary

Introduction

By August 9, 2020, governors in 35 US states had issued statewide mandates for persons to wear COVID-19 protective face masks[1]. These mandates ensured that the entire state populations were covered, population adherences to the mandates were not complete[1]. In of the remaining states, until September 9, some local governments (county or municipal) had issued mandates for persons to wear masks. Mask wearing in public has become a bulwark against COVID-19, and it is desirable to determine the population proportions in the states that are only covered by local ordinances. We present a dataset that provides this information

Methods

Jacobs P: Mask Orders