According to a recent survey conducted by YouGov, almost one-third of Americans still have concerns about the threat of Covid-19. When asked about their level of worry regarding contracting the virus, 24 percent of adults stated that they were “somewhat worried,” while seven percent expressed being “very worried.”
These figures, collected between August 17 and August 21, demonstrate a slight decrease from April 2022, when 45 percent reported feeling somewhat worried and 13 percent said they were very worried.
The survey was conducted during a period of increased Covid-19 rates and the emergence of two highly mutated variants known as EG.5 (Eris) and BA.2.86 (Pirola).
Meanwhile, one out of every seven participants stated that they still wear a mask some of the time, while the same proportion admitted that they view people wearing masks in public with less regard.
The percentage of individuals who reported being very worried decreased from 11 percent in September 2022 to seven percent, as shown in the survey results from April 2022.
Likewise, a larger proportion (31 percent) indicated that they were worried, compared to 43 percent in September and 45 percent in April 2022.
Americans wearing face masks as they waited in line to vote in the 2020 presidential election. Some colleges and businesses are reinstating mask mandates as Covid cases rise in the US
The survey, conducted by YouGov and Yahoo, interviewed a representative sample of 1,665 US adults online.
As per the survey, Black Americans and Democrats were more likely than other groups to closely follow Covid-related news. In general, one-third of Americans reported closely monitoring the current reports of Covid infections.
Regarding booster shots, 34 percent expressed willingness to receive another one, while nine percent stated they would not. The remaining 57 percent indicated that they had not received an initial booster shot yet. President Biden has signaled that the White House is likely to recommend everyone, including children, to get a top-up shot as soon as they become available. The new vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, designed specifically to target the dominant XBB variants, are expected to be rolled out in mid-September.
Survey participants were also asked about their mask-wearing habits in the past seven days. One out of every seven respondents disclosed wearing a face covering some of the time, while 74 percent claimed they never wear a mask.
Although earlier this year, a meta-analysis suggested that face masks made little to no difference in Covid infection or death rates, 14 percent of the survey participants stated that they thought less of people seen wearing masks in public, while 73 percent stated that they would not judge either way. Meanwhile, nine percent said they would think more highly of them, and the remaining four percent were unsure.
Due to the fact that most Americans have either been infected with or vaccinated against Covid-19 over the past four years, the majority of the population now possesses antibodies against the virus. Research from the University of Florida revealed that 96 percent of Americans over the age of 16 had Covid antibodies as of September last year.
Dr. Timothy Murphy, senior associate dean for clinical and translational research at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, emphasized the importance of staying informed about the new variants. He stated, “This should not elicit the same level of worry as when there were high case numbers, hospitalizations, and deaths. However, Covid-19 is not disappearing, so it is wise to remain vigilant.”
He further added, “It’s okay not to worry about Covid-19 every day, but it is important to stay attentive as circumstances can change rapidly.”
While hospitalizations in the US have been on the rise, with a 21 percent increase in the week leading up to August 12, reaching 12,600 cases, it still remains below the levels recorded at the same time last year. On the other hand, the number of deaths has remained relatively stable, with 497 recorded in the week ending on July 29, only slightly higher than the previous week’s figure of 491.
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