MARCH 25, 2020 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MOST FAVOR CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS
Nearly half believe the state of the country will be ‘much better’ six months from now; Republicans are more optimistic than Democrats
DENVER, CO – According to a new survey by ROI Rocket, a leading provider of market research-based consulting services, virtually all Americans 18 and older (98%) support government-mandated measures of one sort or another in response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Solid majorities support restricting travel (85%), imposing quarantines (72%), restricting the operating hours of bars and restaurants (70%) and shutting down schools (70%).
Most Americans report taking those restrictions seriously and adopting other recommended measures to counteract the virus. Although only about one-in-three (31%) indicate they’re ‘very concerned’ about contracting the virus themselves, about nine-in-ten (91%) report taking appropriate precautions. Washing hands for 20 seconds is the most popularly reported precaution (89%), followed by social distancing/avoiding large crowds (81%). Those aged 25 or older are more likely than younger Americans to have elevated concerns about coming down with the virus. People of color are also more likely than whites/Caucasians to be very concerned about contracting it.
Given recent government actions and new social norms, almost one-in-two Americans (45%) believe conditions on the ground will be ‘much better’ six months from now. Those aged 35 and older are more likely than younger Americans to believe this, potentially because they rely mainly on mainstream news outlets for information about the virus while their younger counterparts are more likely to get their information from social media.
Republicans are more optimistic than Democrats about flattening the curve of the pandemic during that period. About three-in-five Republicans (57%) believe conditions will be much better six months from now compared to about two-in-five Democrats (37%). This discrepancy is probably due to widely reported variations in how President Donald Trump and right-leaning media outlets like Fox News have treated the pandemic compared to many other sources, including representatives of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Among the general public, the most trusted cohort or entity for effectively combating the coronavirus is local health professionals, followed by the CDC, state government and lastly, the federal government. About three-in-five Americans (61%) trust local health professionals completely when it comes to handling the virus. That figure drops to less than one-in-four (23%) in relation to the federal government.
In terms of predicted employment impacts, nearly half of working Americans (45%) expect to work from home more often over the next month or so. Another one-in-five (19%) expect their positions to be suspended or eliminated altogether. Only about two-in-five (38%) anticipate working a regular routine in the face of government-mandated restrictions and mounting financial pressures on private employers.
ABOUT THIS RESEARCH
This study of 2,420 U.S. residents aged 18 and older was fielded between March 16 and March 20, 2020. The results have an associated margin of error of +/- 2.0% at the 95% confidence level in the most conservative case. This means the results come within plus or minus 2.0% of the results that would have been obtained given a census of all qualified individuals. Sample collection was balanced to U.S. Census figures for gender, age, race/ethnicity and household income.
The study is projected to run for sixteen (16) weeks and include supplemental studies of business leaders and healthcare professionals. Press releases will be issued periodically as warranted by the results.
ABOUT ROI ROCKET
Founded in 2007, ROI Rocket is a leading provider of full-service market research, marketing and sales automation, and digital agency support with offices in Denver, CO, Vancouver, WA, and Jacksonville, FL.
PRESS CONTACTS
For additional information about this study, please contact David McGrath, CEO (david.mcgrath@roirocket.com) or Libby Perkins, General Counsel (libby.perkins@roirocket.com).