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U.S. NEWS Friday 20 March 2020

AP-NORC poll: Fear of virus infection spikes among Americans

By SARA BURNETT and EMILY by the virus. Deaths to date
SWANSON in the U.S. mirror the expe-
Associated Press rience in other countries,
CHICAGO (AP) — Concern with about 4 out of 5 fatali-
among Americans that ties occurring in people 65
they or a loved one will be and older, and no deaths
infected by the coronavi- in children, according to
rus rose dramatically in the the Centers for Disease
past month, with two-thirds Control and Prevention.
of the country now saying While the poll found that
they're at least somewhat about 3 in 10 Americans
concerned about con- say they're highly worried
tracting the COVID-19 ill- about the illness, about the
ness. same number are uncon-
That's up from less than cerned — with 7% saying
half who said so in Febru- they were not taking any
ary. Still, a new poll from of the prevention measures
The Associated Press-NORC asked about in the poll,
Center for Public Affairs Re- including more frequent
search finds that about 3 in hand washing or staying
10 Americans say they're away from large groups.
not worried at all about the That's a red flag for Libby
coronavirus. Richards, a Purdue Univer-
And while the survey found sity nursing professor who In this March 18, 2020 photo, a traveler checks his mobile telephone while passing a map of the
that most say they're tak- teaches courses on popu- United States on the way to the security checkpoint in the main terminal in Denver International
Airport in Denver.
ing at least some actions lation health. Associated Press
to prevent the disease from "We do need that 33% to
spreading, experts say it change if we're going to than 10 people. settings such as airports. ter Trump declared the na-
also shows the country is not keep this under control as But of those who had trav- The poll was conducted tional emergency. Still, she
doing all of what's needed much as possible," Rich- el plans in the next few March 12-16, when infor- said she's been troubled by
to reduce infections, such ards said, adding that months, a minority — 22% mation about the virus people who don't seem to
as canceling travel. "maybe that 7% of people of those who had domes- was changing rapidly, as be taking the warnings seri-
"Some set of people is still are already excellent hand tic travel plans and 41% was the Trump administra- ously, including those she's
going about their daily washers, but I doubt it." of those with international tion's reaction to it. Trump seen in images of crowded
lives, and that needs to The survey found that travel plans — say they've declared the pandemic Florida beaches.
change pretty rapidly," said about 9 in 10 Americans canceled them. About an- a national emergency on For most people, COVID-19
Caroline Pearson, a senior say they're washing their other 3 in 10 of each group March 13, making up to causes only mild or moder-
vice president at NORC at hands more frequently, say they've considered $50 billion available for lo- ate symptoms, such as fever
the University of Chicago roughly 7 in 10 are avoiding canceling, while the rest cal and state governments and cough. It can cause
and a health policy expert. large groups and about 6 are still planning to travel. to respond to the crisis, and more severe illness, includ-
"Now they need to do the in 10 are avoiding touching On Saturday, Trump ex- announced a range of ex- ing pneumonia, for some
hard things, not just the their faces. Older Ameri- panded European travel ecutive actions aimed at people, especially older
easy things that don't dis- cans are especially likely to restrictions due to the glob- expanding testing for the adults and those with exist-
rupt their life." say they're avoiding large al pandemic, telling Ameri- virus. The administration ing health problems. Most
The poll found that younger groups, with 77% saying cans, "If you don't have to also started work on a $1 people recover — those
adults have greater con- they've done that in re- travel, I wouldn't do it." The trillion aid and stimulus plan. with mild illness in about
cerns about the coronavi- sponse to the coronavirus. CDC has advised that trav- Richards said she's hopeful two weeks, while those with
rus than older Americans, Public health officials have elers are more likely to get the numbers of Americans more severe illness may
with 43% of adults under 30 urged people to do their infected if they go to a des- worried about the corona- take three to six weeks, ac-
being very worried, com- part to slow the spread of tination where the virus is virus would be higher in a cording to the World Health
pared with 21% of those the virus before hospitals spreading and in crowded poll conducted entirely af- Organization.q
age 60 and over. Pearson and other health facilities
said that may be because are overwhelmed. Schools
younger people are more and sporting events have
likely to feel uncertain been canceled, and res-
about jobs or health insur- taurants and Las Vegas ca-
ance or to worry about sinos closed. President Don-
older family members like ald Trump's administration
parents or grandparents. said Monday that people
That disparity by age does should avoid social gath-
not match the threat posed erings with groups of more