Americans hadn’t even started digging into their Thanksgiving leftovers before learning about a new coronavirus variant of concern called Omicron. While the development of additional variants are a given as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, the newest variant discovered in South Africa serves as a reminder that we’re not quite out of the woods yet.
CivicScience launched a survey after the holiday weekend to understand the topline level of concern about Omicron among the general population. Among more than 4,100 survey respondents, we observe that the majority of U.S. adults (66%) are at least somewhat concerned about the emerging mutation of COVID-19.
For reference, CivicScience conducted a survey when news of the Delta variant emerged over the summer, and the level of initial concern was very similar to that of Omicron.
But just how much will news of Omicron impact holiday travel? As of writing, those who report the highest level of concern about the variant are the least likely to have travel plans in the next month, while those who show the least concern are twice as likely to travel by airplane, and 72% more likely to have upcoming travel plans at all.
Inflation Bigger Concern Than New Variant
To put things in perspective, CivicScience data show that Americans at large are much more concerned right now about inflation than they are about the new variant.
Further analysis of Omicron’s impact on the busy holiday travel season will be included in CivicScience’s next syndicated report, free and sent out weekly to all clients. Want in? Sign up for a customized demo.
