(Un)masking threat: Racial minorities experience race-based social identity threat wearing face masks during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, racial minorities in United States were left a double bind when deciding to wear face masks prevent spread of virus: risk being racially profiled or COVID-19. Two studies examine Black and Asian individuals’ experiences race-related social identity threat wearing during COVID-19, its impact on safety health behaviors. Black, Asian, White participants responded surveys (S1: N = 776; S2: 534) their early pandemic (May 2020) 3 months later (August 2020). Across both studies, results indicated that, compared individuals, reported experiencing mask-related, race-based from public police, with individuals particularly concerned about mask-related police interactions. Mediational analyses demonstrated that led avoidance help was needed at time points, decreased mask usage for people. Results highlight these unique concerns faced by have implications protecting minorities’ pandemic.