President Trump has spent much of the past two months downplaying the novel coronavirus threat. Those statements, others have noted, are dramatically different from his comments about the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Back then, Trump repeatedly played up fears of Ebola to attack President Barack Obama. His many tweets included […] Read more »
Six Emerging Conclusions: Public Opinion and COVID-19
Available survey data confirm that public health messaging associated with the COVID-19 virus is getting through. Americans are paying attention, and the public is generally taking the actions recommended by authorities. CONT. Frank Newport, Gallup Read more »
As Coronavirus Cases Rise, Most Americans Say They are Likely to Avoid a Range of Group Activities
As the coronavirus pandemic expands in the United States, Americans are being urged to stay home and avoid certain activities to help stop the spread of the virus. In some states and regions, so-called “shelter in place” orders have been issued to enforce staying home for all except essential work […] Read more »
A Battle Between Lives and Livelihoods
The United States and the world have faced tough times before—deep recessions, stock-market crashes, and pandemics. But never the whole world all at once. I recently recalled the first time my father, an Eighth Air Force B-17 and B-24 pilot in World War II, and I first watched the terrific […] Read more »
Coronavirus impacts: Disrupted lives, elevated stress, and soaring worry
The coronavirus crisis weighs heavily on the American public: Seventy-seven percent in an ABC News/Washington Post poll say their lives have been disrupted, seven in 10 report personal stress and as many are worried that they or an immediate family member may become infected. CONT. Gary Langer, ABC News Read more »
11 Million in U.S. at Severe Risk If Infected With COVID-19
Over 11 million U.S. adults are at severe risk of critical illness or death if infected with COVID-19. This is based on a special analysis of Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index data examining rates of chronic conditions believed to be key risk factors in addition to smoking rates and […] Read more »