In an ongoing panel survey conducted by Northwestern University (NU) and Ohio State University, researchers found that Americans are significantly less concerned about the possibility of dying from Covid-19, while their overall likelihood of contracting the virus remained relatively low. consistent from December to February.
“In December, Americans believed they had almost a one in three chance of dying if they contracted Covid-19,” said Erik Nisbet, professor of communication and policy analysis and director of the UN’s Center for Communication and Public Policy. “Now, two months later, that number has dropped significantly to about a one in four chance of dying if they get sick. Interestingly, the general perception of the likelihood of contracting Covid-19 has not changed significantly.”
“Public attitudes toward Covid-19 vaccination”, a study of 1,200 Americans surveyed monthly from December 2020 to June 2021, tracks changes in attitudes toward risk perceptions, decision making, political preferences and preventive behaviors of health. Respondents were asked about mask and vaccine mandates, restrictions on bars and restaurants and places of worship, willingness or hesitation to be vaccinated, availability and effectiveness of the vaccine, as well as their most important sources of information about Covid-19.
The study found that, although some states have suspended mask mandates across the state, strong public support, registering 61 percent, for mask mandates has remained the same since December, the Xinhua news agency reported.
The study shows that approximately four out of 10 Americans are “accepting the vaccine”, saying they are extremely likely or likely to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Another one in four is “hesitant about the vaccine”, reporting that it is somewhat likely or unlikely to be vaccinated. Approximately one in three Americans remains “resistant to the vaccine”, responding that it is unlikely or extremely unlikely to get it. Over a three-month period, these percentages remained stable and virtually unchanged.
Respondents who expressed hesitation, compared to acceptance, were more likely to be women, blacks and / or religious, and indicated that they were less interested in news. They also rely less on healthcare providers and public health experts, are less likely to get an annual flu vaccine, and find Covid-19 vaccines less safe and somewhat less effective.
According to 23 percent of respondents, the most important source of information about the Covid-19 pandemic is the news media, including newspapers, TV news, radio, news sites, followed by federal health officials, such as those who represent the CDC and the FDA at 18 percent. Health providers and scientists were chosen as the most important source by 11 percent. Few respondents cited social media or state and local authorities as Covid’s primary source of information.
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