At large, people are generally still worried about being out in public, and have accepted that social distancing isn’t going away anytime soon. But this week it’s clear that Americans just want to get back to some semblance of normal by way of eating out.
While overall concern about being in public spaces has decreased slightly for the second week in a row, 75% of people are still at least somewhat concerned about being out in public.
Though overall on a downward trend, it’s worth noting that slightly more people are gravely (‘very’) concerned about being out in public spaces than they were last week, replacing ‘somewhat’ concerned.
Also observed was an increase in the length of time for which people expect to have to practice social distancing and self-isolation. Forty-six percent of American adults now say they expect it to be for six or more months.
Comfort resuming most normal activities (shopping in stores, traveling, attending major public events, and returning to work) didn’t change by much compared to the prior week. However, we did observe the highest percentage of adults we’ve seen to date (since survey tracking began in April) report they’re now comfortable dining out at restaurants. In fact, half of American adults say they’re now comfortable doing so.
Just another opportunity to add, as we have seen before, that those who are ready to dine out at restaurants are more likely to be wealthier Americans.
A hot topic is availability to testing / screening for COVID-19. The percentage of U.S. adults at least ‘somewhat’ concerned about access to screening / testing for COVID-19 increased slightly this week (from 45% to 50%).
On the flip side of the restaurant comfort question, those most concerned about access to testing for COVID are more likely to be in lower-income households, and in many cases, working frontline jobs.Â
The data do show that those in service, labor, or craftsman jobs are the most concerned about access to COVID-19 testing.
So while the rich dine out, their server has to worry about COVID testing.
Housing Boom Continues
All this aside, real estate is in a great place.
One of the other most notable things observed is the percentage of adults who think now is a good time to purchase a new home. This week, more adults than ever (43%) say now is a good time to purchase a new home.
Later this week we’ll post a report looking at the correlation between the CivicScience Economic Sentiment Index and overall changes in consumer comfort returning to normal activities.Â