Poll finds big jump in Canadians’ level of concern
As governments scramble to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, new polling shows that there has been a distinct jump in the level of concern among Canadians since the beginning of March.
However, despite their fears, most people remain relatively calm.
A DART & maru/Blue poll shows that the vast majority of Canadians — 82 per cent — have changed their behaviours as a result of the virus. In February, a full 65 per cent of Canadians had not been altering their behaviours at all.
The poll shows that 52 per cent of Canadians are worried that they might contract the COVID-19 virus, which has led to eight deaths in Canada and sickened nearly 600 others. Polling from March 1 shows that concerns among Canadians have also escalated: Just 32 per cent were concerned they’d get the virus back then.
In recent weeks, governments across the country announced major measures to contain the outbreak, including closing the border to non-citizens and non-essential travel between the United States and Canada, closing schools and banning public gatherings.
Among those who are worried about COVID-19, 15 per cent are “very concerned” they might catch it, up eight points from the earlier polling.
Overall, the mood of the vast majority of Canadians — 87 per cent — remains reasonably calm: Asked how they feel overall, just 11 per cent are feeling anxious, while two per cent are “panicked.”
This is “vastly outweighed,” the poll says, by the 30 per cent who are feeling calm and the 58 per cent who are feeling “concerned.” The concern level is uniform across the country, ranging from 47 per cent in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to 54 per cent in British Columbia.
Those with a university education and women are most concerned, landing at 58 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively.
The poll was conducted among 1,514 randomly selected Canadian adults who participate in maru/ Blue’s online panel. The polling was conducted between March 13 and March 15 and compared with data gathered between Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, and March 1.