Wearing a face mask against Covid-19 results in a reduction of social distancing

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243023
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07T20:39:06Z
• Authors: Alice Cartaud; François Quesque; Yann Coello
• Keywords: Social distance; Pandemic; Face masks; Distancing; Social Isolation

In the context of Covid-19 pandemic, barrier gestures such as regular hand-washing, social distancing, and wearing a face mask are highly recommended. Critically, interpersonal distance (IPD) depends on affective dimension interaction, which might be affected by current context. present internet-based experimental study, we analyzed preferred IPD 457 French participants when facing human-like characters that were either or displaying neutral, happy angry facial expression. Results showed was significantly reduced mask, they perceived more trustworthy compared to other conditions. Importantly, even in infected with living low-risk areas, while it not predicted health characters. These findings shed further light psychological factors motivate adjustments, particular collective threat. They also crucial importance for policy makers reveal despite indisputable value pandemic context, their use should accompanied an emphasis distancing prevent detrimental consequences.