CivicScience tracking of how Americans feel about the state of the coronavirus pandemic indicates a shift in comfort and overall concern, which is likely connected to reports of the Delta variant. At this point in time, 68% of U.S. adults report being at least somewhat concerned about the virus variant, although it is unclear how much this will undo the progress Americans have made to restore confidence in a post-pandemic life.
This week, CivicScience data show an increase of eight percentage points in concern about being in public spaces.
Crossing comfort in public with concern about the variant shows almost the entire population of ‘very concerned’ Americans are also ‘very concerned’ about the variant. Even one-quarter of those who aren’t at all concerned about being in public are at least somewhat concerned about the virus strand.
A number of consumers backtracked their predictions for social distancing as well. The data show a significantly higher percent who expect to social distance for between one and four more months. A corresponding decrease was also seen for those who only predict between one and three more weeks.
While comfort traveling also took a hit this week, it doesn’t seem to be affecting already planned summer travel happening in the next month.
One-quarter of U.S. adults say now is a good time to buy a new home, and 26% say it’s a good time for a major purchase (like a car or home improvements). Both of these sentiments have seen positive movement for two consecutive weeks.
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