The coronavirus outbreak has changed many aspects of public life since 2020, including how Americans work, go to school, and participate in religious services. Recently, restrictions on public activities have been lifted in many places, and Americans are becoming increasingly accustomed to returning to normal activities.
To gain insight into how Americans are viewing the impact of COVID-19 in their lives, a recent Pew Research Center survey found what has been important to them during the pandemic. Respondents were asked to explain in their own words what had changed and what had become less important. (A random subset of survey respondents described their subsequent situation) more important to them and another random subset explained what happened few important. )
The pandemic, which has claimed more than 1 million lives in the United States alone, has created a new sense of trade-off for many Americans between protecting their health and participating in social activities as part of daily life. . Here are some of the key themes that emerged in Americans’ open-ended responses.
Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to understand how Americans’ priorities have changed since the coronavirus outbreak. The open-ended responses are from the center’s survey of 10,282 U.S. adults conducted May 2-8, 2022. Some of the answers cited here have been lightly edited for style, brevity, and readability.
All survey participants are members of the center’s American Trends Panel (ATP). The ATP is an online survey panel drawn from a nationwide random sample of residential addresses. In this way, nearly all American adults have the opportunity to choose. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education, and other categories. Learn more about ATP’s methodology here.
Below are the questions, answers, and methodology used in this report.
What became more important?
Many Americans, 26% of respondents, are concerned about staying healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak, whether by following public health precautions or focusing more on a healthy lifestyle. says it has become more important.
Some said the precautions they took to stay healthy were newly important. One respondent said, “Keep a safe distance from people in stores and places where you shop and eat. Wash your hands thoroughly, especially before eating.” “Stay healthy, exercise, Some framed this in more general terms, such as “eat right and take care of your mental health.”
Roughly two in ten people (21% of those surveyed) talked about a new appreciation for social activities. Most in this group said attending large gatherings and visiting friends and family in person is more important now than before the outbreak. One person expressed the change in their gratitude as follows: “Whenever I get the chance, I attend large events and spend quality time with my loved ones.”
A smaller proportion (9% of respondents) do not have Since the outbreak of COVID-19, going out and staying at home – measures to prevent the risk of infection – have become an even more important priority. One person described the change as “avoiding going to public and crowded places.” Another said, “I’m staying at home more and avoiding crowds and public places. I’m also shopping earlier to avoid crowds and buying in bulk so I don’t have to go out as much.” I am.”
The center’s research shows widespread changes in Americans’ work lives during the pandemic. Some open-ended responses also mentioned that people are reevaluating broader life priorities, particularly in relation to reduced concentration at work and the office.
One in 10 respondents said they have a greater appreciation for life today and work is a relatively lower priority. One survey respondent summed up the new priorities: Now that I’m back to commuting and interacting with colleagues, it’s harder, but I don’t work from home anymore. What needs to be done at work is done and everything else waits for the next business day. Family time is so precious. ”
Fewer respondents mentioned dissatisfaction with advice from public health officials or active rejection of efforts to protect themselves from coronavirus. Only 2% of respondents said this had become more important to them. (Another 1% said negative things about public health officials overall.)
things that have become less important
American asked what happened Diminished Social interaction was also frequently mentioned as important to them during the outbreak. About a third (35% of those who answered this question) said socializing and going out has become a lower priority.
One person said: Going out is not that important. ” Another said, “I don’t go out to crowded places that much and it’s not a priority for me.”.Other activities that Americans volunteered as being less personally important included “travel and vacations,” “going shopping,” and “going to the movies.”
Some respondents (9%) mentioned the diminished value of work when thinking about things that became less important to them during the pandemic. This includes those who said that working or coming to work in person is no longer as important to them. One respondent said, “It’s not as important to me to be in the office anymore. I can handle the same responsibilities remotely.” Among other things Americans cited as less important to them: These include “working long hours” and “being defined by others.” [their] work. “
A minority of Americans (4% of respondents) said that listening to public health officials is no longer as important to them. One respondent expressed that he had “completely lost trust in the medical community, the CDC, FDA, etc.”
Partisan differences over public health guidelines and social gatherings
As the coronavirus continues to spread, broad partisan disagreements have arisen over efforts to reduce its impact. Americans’ open-ended survey responses to the center’s recent survey also show partisan differences, particularly when it comes to health guidelines and social gatherings.
Democratic-leaning Democrats and independents are about twice as likely as Republicans and Republican-leaning voters (32% vs. 17%) to take health precautions, follow public health guidance, or improve their health. were more likely to mention other initiatives as more important. outbreak.
Conversely, Democrats (45% of respondents) were more likely than Republicans (22%) to say: Diminished Since the beginning of the epidemic, the importance of socializing at large gatherings and outings.
Note: Here are the questions, answers, and methodology used in this report.
Alison Spencer A former research analyst, he focuses on science and society research at Pew Research Center.