Individual Mask Wearing During COVID-19 Pandemic: An Intersectional Decision

Abstract

This is a content analysis of 25 newspaper articles consisting of commentary, editorials, and letters to the editor was performed to dissect what the public thought about policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I hypothesized that the public would view mask wearing as more than a yes or no choice and requires greater consideration of intersectionality in making public policy decisions. I coded for themes of “dominance” and “intersectionality”. Notably, the indicators of access, which were the most significant in the theme of “intersectionality” had 18.1% representation within the content. Alternatively, the indicator of policy, which was the most significant theme of “dominance” had 33.4% representation within the content. I discuss how the results suggest that policy makers who have greater power of public policy making might utilize this power to maintain their privileged status without consideration for intersectionality experienced by others in the population that isn’t accounted for in those policies. Policy makers that are engaged in intersectional decision making are engaged in activism.