We are inviting you to collect data for the research study, “Systematic Observation of Mask Adherence and Distancing” (SOMAD). The study is being led by Dr. Deborah Cohen and Meghan Talarowski and is associated with RAND Corporation, Kaiser Permanente Research and Evaluation, and Studio Ludo. The purpose of the study is to better understand and document the public response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the degree to which people adhere to face covering and social distancing requirements and recommendations.

Your participation will entail visiting locations in which people have the potential to interact with others. For each observation location you visit, we request that you spend at least one hour documenting mask and distancing adherence. We ask that you do this on a weekday and a weekend day at the same location. If you do this each month on the same day and time, we will be able to document any trends. We ask that you strictly follow the protocol as outlined.

For your own personal safety, you must visit only locations where you are confident that you will be able to wear a mask and maintain at least a 6-foot distance from others or observe from inside an automobile parked near the coding station. If you have doubts about your safety, we ask that you not observe that location. Please observe all public health orders and regulations in effect in your location, and take all reasonable precautions against COVID-19, such as use of hand sanitizer. You are engaging in data collection at your own risk, and you are responsible for ensuring that your activities are performed in a safe manner. None of the organizations associated with this study will be liable for any injuries, damage, or other harm that you may incur through your own conduct or the conduct of others.  

Collecting data for this study is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time. Currently, there will be no compensation for participation.  

We are planning to share all the data that are collected for this study. In particular, we will give you full access to the data collected in your locality and share the summary data collected in all other U.S. localities, so you can compare your findings with other settings.

By signing below, you agree to assist with the data collection effort and assume full liability for your field work.  If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Deborah Cohen at Deborah.a.Cohen@kp.org.

Thanks for your contribution.