Even pollsters are stepping up to the coronavirus challenge. Ipsos, a major global polling firm, has partnered with news organization Axios to produce a “COVID-19 pandemic weekly tracking poll” to offer insight into the minds of Americans during the coronavirus crisis.
“The results are meant to offer insight into American opinions and behavior during this time of national uncertainty. The findings are intended as a vivid weekly barometer of the pandemic’s effects on Americans’ health, finances, trust and quality of life,” the two partners said in a statement.
“America is just now coming to grips with the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak,” said Cliff Young, president of Ipsos U.S. Public Affairs.
“We expect next week’s poll will reflect the drastic changes in behavior, as the reality of the virus modifies our day-to-day life,” he noted.
The new survey also revealed that many Americans do not trust information broadcast by cable news or found on social media.
• 49% don’t have very much trust or no trust at all in cable news to provide them with accurate information on COVID-19.
• 74% don’t have very much trust or no trust at all in social media to provide them with accurate information on COVID-19.
• 53% of respondents have a great deal or a fair amount of trust in the federal government in providing them with accurate information as it concerns COVID-19.
• 19% reported their mental health had gotten worse in the last week.
In addition, 64% of respondents have stopped shaking hands with others, 51% have not visited friends or relatives and 43% skipped going out to eat.
The Axios/Ipsos poll of 1,092 U.S. adults was conducted March 13-16.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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