Perpetual Pandemic: Canadians say POSTCOVID-19 ‘return to normal’ is far off

Remember when we went to the movies, or when summer vacation plans included getting on planes? What day is it today, anyway? For Canadians greeting each sunrise to begin a day eerily similar to the last, the cycle of self-isolating, staying home, and not doing too much may be beginning to grate.

Nonetheless, the latest public opinion data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds Canadians resigned to their fate for the long haul.

Seven-in-10 (68 per cent) now see a timeline for a full return to normal life – POSTCOVID-19 – as at least six months away. This represents a stark increase in the number of Canadians holding this view from March (30 per cent) and April (43 per cent).

For the vast majority (79 per cent), their primary concern continues to be the risk of illness for friends and family, compared to 59 per cent who say they are worried