Citation
Powers, Kimberly A.; Sullivan, Kristin M.; Zadrozny, Sabrina L.; Shook-Sa, Bonnie E.; Byrnes, Rosemary; Bogojevich, David A.; Lauen, Douglas L.; Thompson, Peyton; Robinson, Whitney R.; & Gordon-Larsen, Penny, et al. (2022). North Carolina Public School Teachers’ Contact Patterns and Mask Use within and Outside of School during the Pre-Vaccine Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic. American Journal of Infection Control, 50(6), 608-617. PMCID: PMC8714247Abstract
BACKGROUND: Teachers are central to school-associated transmission networks, but little is known about their behavioral patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 700 North Carolina public school teachers in four districts open to in-person learning in November-December 2020 (pre-COVID-19 vaccines). We assessed indoor and outdoor time spent, numbers of people encountered at <6 feet ("close contacts"), and mask use by teachers and those around them at specific locations on the most recent weekday and weekend day.
RESULTS: Nearly all respondents reported indoor time at home (98%) and school (94%) on the most recent weekday, while 62% reported indoor time at stores, 18% at someone else's home, and 17% at bars/restaurants. Responses were similar for the most recent weekend day, excepting school (where 5% reported indoor time). Most teachers (>94%) reported wearing masks inside school, stores, and salons; intermediate percentages (
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2021.12.020Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2022Journal Title
American Journal of Infection ControlAuthor(s)
Powers, Kimberly A.Sullivan, Kristin M.
Zadrozny, Sabrina L.
Shook-Sa, Bonnie E.
Byrnes, Rosemary
Bogojevich, David A.
Lauen, Douglas L.
Thompson, Peyton
Robinson, Whitney R.
Gordon-Larsen, Penny
Aiello, Allison E.
Article Type
RegularPMCID
PMC8714247Continent/Country
United States of AmericaState
North CarolinaORCiD
Robinson, W - 0000-0003-4009-0488Gordon-Larsen - 0000-0001-5322-4188
Aiello - 0000-0001-7029-2537