Video / NZ HeraldKiwis outside Auckland were much more blase about wearing masks when Covid-19 wasn't yet in their communities, despite being just as aware about health measures. "People outside Auckland were ready to wear masks but were not bothering to do so because they thought there was very little chance they could catch Covid-19," Kaine said. "If people believe that catching Covid-19 will not seriously affect their health, then they will be much less likely to wear face masks." People were more likely to wear masks if they thought they were threatened and if they thought that masks were effective – but also if they saw others around them masked, Baker said. He and more than 150 other health experts have urged the Government to reinstate a mask mandate in classrooms this winter.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 26, 2022 03:09 UTC