Informal survey indicates Yuba-sutter area readers are as concerned as ever over virus
Yuba-sutter area residents might be feeling fatigued by coronavirus rules and protocols and warnings, but they're just as concerned as ever, according to results of an informal online survey conducted by the Appeal-democrat.
That makes sense in that the number of respondents who said they have loved ones testing positive for the virus has grown since July, when a similar survey was conducted.
Here are some of the findings from the survey, which had 211 respondents from around the Yuba-sutter-colusa area (comments printed here are the opinions of respondents).
We asked, "Have you or anyone in your immediate family tested positive for Covid -19?" and 18 percent said yes. In a similar survey conducted last July, only 4 percent said yes.
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We asked, "How concerned are you about the pandemic?" and 55 percent said "very concerned"; 25 percent said "moderately concerned"; 13 percent said "not very concerned" and 6 percent said not at all concerned."
In the survey last July, 50 percent said very concerned, 26 percent said moderately concerned, 15 percent said not very concerned and 7 percent said not at all concerned.
Among the comments made in the latest survey:
-- The Trumpians keep listening to him instead of listening to science and doing the right thing.
-- I'm concerned about people who think it's a hoax and don't wear masks.
-- Just another variation of the flu strain.
-- Yes there is a virus, but don't believe the hype surrounding it.
-- Local officials don't seem to be taking this seriously.
-- My concern is based on the economic impact to the community not
the illness.
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We asked about testing and 39 percent said they have been tested; 47 percent said they have not yet been tested; 2 percent said they were scared to be tested; and 11 percent said it would be a waste of time. In July, only 22 percent said they'd been tested.
Among the comments:
-- Tested once. Easy, painless, negative. -- All the tests are fake -- they are calling the common cold COVID so no thanks.
-- It's a no-brainer. Safety for myself and others.
-- Don't plan on getting tested. Too many false negatives/positives.
-- As a healthcare worker I have routinely been tested after each known exposure. I have been tested more than a dozen times at this point and know COVID testing is nothing to fear. In fact, widely available COVID testing is a key tenet in a return to normalcy. Despite many community members' belief to the contrary, false positives are not a significant problem with any widely used COVID test. In fact, a false negative is far more likely.
-- There is no magic pill for COVID. Just like any other flu, you treat the symptoms. If you get worse, you go to the hospital, and they treat the symptoms. The only reason to be tested is for the number counters. Testing is not a solution to be cured.
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We asked if the pandemic had affected your housing situation and only 10 people said they were unable to keep up with their rent/mortgage and one respondent said they were being evicted.
In July, only 6 percent said they were unable to keep up with rent/mortgage. No one said they were being evicted.
More results in Saturday's edition.