Today INNOVATIVE has released highlights from the third wave of our COVID-19 polling.
The survey of 2,059 Canadians was conducted from March 31st to April 2nd. This release addresses three questions:
- Are perceptions of and engagement with this disease changing?
- Is behaviour changing?
- Is approval of the governments’ response changing?
Attitudes and Awareness Plateau
Awareness and key attitudes towards COVID-19 have plateaued this week. Key changes include a slight decline in frequent discussion and marginal gains in concern for vulnerable contacts and understanding people can reduce the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.
Behaviour Shows Limited Improvement
Our tracking of actual behaviour shows only limited improvement. Self-reported change is flat. There is some reduction in shopping and visiting homes. But social connections outside remain stable as do gatherings of 50 or more people. Returning travelers remain a problem. Half of returning travelers went shopping this week. A third hosted someone in their home and 39% went to someone else’s home. Self-isolating apparently doesn’t seem to mean staying at home to Canadians. People who report self-isolating are almost as active in their shopping and social activities as those who say they are not.
Government Approval Remains Strong
Approval for governments’ response to COVID has sustained the gains seen last week. Just over six-in-ten approve of the federal government’s response while two-thirds approve of their provincial government’s response.
For more, click on the presentation deck here.
