Back in Aug 2021, the Monmouth University Poll found most Americans (59%) believe agencies, such as the CDC, have been giving mixed messages about Covid risks.
In Oct 2021 a national telephone and online survey by Rasmussen reported nearly half of U.S. voters (49%) believe Dr. Anthony Fauci lied about U.S. funding for “gain-of-function” research, with 19% not sure, and 46% saying the government’s top Covid-19 expert should be forced to resign.
A later (Dec 2021) survey by Rasmussen reported more than half (54%) of U.S. voters are concerned that Covid-19 vaccines could have harmful side effects (including 27% who are “Very Concerned”) and do not think the government should have the power to make vaccines mandatory.
The Jan 2022 Monmouth Uni Poll also found the majority of Americans do not support workplace vaccine mandates as a preventative measure.
7 in 10 Americans (70%) now agree with the sentiment that “it’s time we accept that Covid is here to stay and we just need to get on with our lives.” Only one-third of the public (34%) feels the country can control Covid, and only 23% are “very concerned” about catching one of the new Covid variants. 37% of American adults say they are unlikely to ever get a booster shot, and 17% say they are opposed to getting the initial vaccination.
Fortune reports (Feb 7) that “pro-vaccine parents are suddenly skeptical when it comes to their young kids getting the jab.”
“Parents who got the vaccine themselves, and were mortified by the politicization of vaccination as an issue, are grappling with hesitation around vaccinating their young children,” Fortune continues.
“As far as my child goes, we just don’t know enough about the long term effects and I’m not willing to risk it on my child’s future health,” says Jodi, a mother who runs a nail salon.
“The risk just doesn’t outweigh the benefits.”
According to the Covid-19 Vaccine Monitor: January 2022 published Tue (Feb 1) by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 7 in 10 parents of children under 5 say they will not get their child vaccinated. Half of parents report being worried about their child becoming seriously sick from the coronavirus, including substantially higher shares among parents who are Black or Hispanic.
80% of parents say news of the Omicron variant will not cause them to vaccinate their children. 23% of parents say they are definitely not thinking about vaccinating their child between the ages of 12 and 17, and 40% say children have experienced Covid-related disruption at school.
The latest Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index poll (Feb 8) shows more American adults are questioning the severity of the pandemic.
One month ago (Jan), nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) said attending in-person gatherings with people outside of their household presented a large or moderate risk. Now, 54% feel this way. Fewer parents also think it is a large or moderate risk to send their child to school or daycare (47% now, compared with 55% one month ago).
More are saying “less risk” has increased, while the number saying “more risk” has declined. Currently, 15% feel they have a greater risk of contracting the virus now. 2 in 3 (two-thirds) do not believe it is possible for the U.S. to eradicate the coronavirus, and a full 45% support federal, state, and local government lifting all Covid-19 restrictions.
Finally, the latest Monmouth Uni Poll (Feb 7) finds “… most couples continue to report no pandemic-induced change to their relationship, or improvement.”
“… spending time together, whether it is going out or staying home. It can be easy to equate showing love with buying presents. But, for relationships to really flourish, what they actually need is more shared experiences,” says Dr. Gary Lewandowski, professor of psychology at Monmouth Uni.
