In the United States, people under 30 show little respect for barrier gestures

Wearing a mask, washing hands, social distancing… The barrier gestures necessary to limit the risk of Covid-19 infection are now well known to everyone. But to what extent are they respected? To assess the degree of rigor with which people apply these precautions, the CDC, the American equivalent of the HAS, conducted a survey of Americans over the age of 18.

According to this report published Tuesday, October 27, the percentage of adults respecting the wearing of a mask increased from 78% in April to 89% in June 2020. According to the CDC study, behaviors aimed at respecting social distancing were lower among people aged 18 to 29.

Apart from wearing a mask, all other barrier gestures (including social distancing in public and hand washing) have decreased, with the exception of the behavior of avoiding restaurants, which remains relatively stable.

Infection can be serious at any age

The findings of the survey are a reminder of the need to inform young adults not only about the potential risk that the virus could pose to their health, but also about the important role they play in the spread of Covid-19.

“Young people have a lower risk of being hospitalized or dying from Covid-19, but the infection can become severe in people of all ages, including those who are otherwise healthy.”says the report.

“Reducing the infection rate among people aged 20-30 is key to controlling the pandemic“, adds Dr. Robert Glatter, emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, interviewed by the American site Healthline.