Half of all U.S. adults are concerned that a major health event in their household could lead to bankruptcy, an increase from 45% measured in early 2019 (PDF download). These results, based on a new study by West Health and Gallup, also show that the percentage of non-White adults who harbor this concern has risen from 52% to 64%.

Fear of Health Event Leading to Bankruptcy

How concerned are you that a major health event in your household could lead to bankruptcy? Extremely concerned, concerned, not very concerned or not at all concerned?

	January-February 2019	July 2020	Change
	% Extremely concerned/ Concerned	% Extremely concerned/ Concerned	pct. pts.
U.S. total	45	50	+5*
Gender
Women	47	51	+4
Men	42	49	+7*
Race
White adults	41	43	+2
Non-White adults	52	64	+12*
Age

18-29	43	55	+12*
30-49	46	55	+9*
50-64	52	48	-4
65+	38	40	+2
* Statistically significant change (p<.05), design effect included
GALLUP-WEST HEALTH U.S. HEALTHCARE STUDY, JULY 2020

This study is based on 1,007 interviews with U.S. adults conducted from July 1-24, 2020. Over the past year, concerns about medical bankruptcy have increased 12 and nine percentage points, respectively, among adults aged 18-29 and 30-49. Fifty-five percent of both groups now report being extremely concerned or concerned that a major health event could bankrupt them. Men's concern is up seven points to 49% and is now statistically tied with concern among women (51%).

One-Fifth of Non-White Adults Carry Long-Term Medical Debt

Amid rising concerns nationally about bankruptcy arising from a significant health event, 15% of adults report that at least one person in their household currently has medical debt that will not be repaid -- either in full or in part -- within the next 12 months. This includes 12% of White adults and 20% of non-White adults.

Those in households earning less than $40,000 per year are more than four times as likely as those in households earning $100,000 or more to be carrying long-term medical debt (28% vs. 6%, respectively). The rate is also about twice as high among self-identified political independents (18%) and Democrats (16%) as among Republicans (8%).

Percentage of U.S. Adults Unable to Repay Current Medical Debt Within Next 12 Months

Do you or someone in your household currently have medical debt that you will be unable to repay in the next 12 months?

	Yes, have medical debt
	%
U.S. total	15
Race
White adults	12
Non-White adults	20
Annual household income
Less than $40,000	28
$40,000-<$100,000	12
$100,000+	6
Political identity
Independent	18
Democrat	16
Republican	8
GALLUP-WEST HEALTH U.S. HEALTHCARE STUDY, JULY 2020

One-Quarter of U.S. Adults Must Borrow Money for $500 Medical Bill

With substantial percentages of adults reporting that they currently have medical debt that they cannot pay in a year or less, it is probably unsurprising that 26% report they would need to borrow money to pay a $500 medical bill. To do this, 12% say they would use a credit card or get a loan from a financial institution, while another 14% would borrow from a family member or friend. For some persons, these forms of borrowing could ordinarily be characterized by prompt repayment (such as simply paying off the credit card at the end of the month), but for many others, it is likely to feed into a cycle of accumulating medical debt that cannot be readily repaid.

The need to borrow money to pay a $500 medical bill is particularly common among non-White adults (43%) and those living in households earning less than $40,000 per year (46%).

Sources of Payment for $500 Medical Bill

If you had a $500 medical bill that you needed to pay today, from where would the money most likely come?

	U.S. Total	White adults	Non-White adults	$100,000+	$40,000- <$100,000	Less than $40,000
	%	%	%	%	%	%
Funds from a checking or savings account that were not dedicated to healthcare-related expenses	54	62	40	61	63	39
A medical flexible spending account or health savings account	14	17	11	30	11	8
A credit card or a loan from a financial institution	12	9	17	7	13	15
A loan from a family member or friend	14	8	26	1	9	31
Credit card or any loan type	26	17	43	8	22	46
GALLUP-WEST HEALTH U.S. HEALTHCARE STUDY, JULY 2020

Fourteen percent of U.S. adults report using a medical flexible spending or health savings account to pay medical bills, but use of these tax-benefited financial tools is more than twice as common (30%) among those in households with $100,000 or more in annual income.

Drug Pricing Continues to Influence Candidate Choice for 35% of Adults

About one-third (35%) of Americans say that lowering the cost of prescription drugs is either the single most important issue (5%) or among the most important issues (30%) that will influence their vote in 2020. This is up five percentage points since February, returning to the level measured in September 2019. Another 40% report that the issue is of "mid-range" importance, while 24% report that it is the least or among the least important.

Across key subgroups, little change has been measured since September. Views of women (36%) and men (33%) have converged since last fall, but neither is significantly different from 2019 views. Race and household income, in turn, currently closely match 2019 results. Non-White adults continue to place much higher importance on the issue than their White adult counterparts (48% vs. 29%, respectively), while half (52%) of respondents from households earning under $40,000 per year continue to report that the issue will be highly influential to their vote.

Importance of Lowering Drug Costs to Candidate Support in 2020 (% Single Most Important Issue or Among the Most Important Issues)

Which of the following best describes how influential a candidate's position on lowering drug costs will be to determine your vote in the 2020 elections? Is it the single most important issue, among the most important issues, mid-range in importance, among the least important issues or the least important issue?

	September 2019	February 2020	July 2020	Change since 2019
	%	%	%	pct. pts.
U.S. total	35	30	35	0
Gender
Women	41	33	36	-5
Men	29	28	33	+4
Race
White adults	29	23	29	0
Non-White adults	48	45	48	0
Annual household income
Less than $40,000	52	45	52	0
$40,000-<$100,000	31	31	29	-2
$100,000+	19	14	22	+3
GALLUP-WEST HEALTH U.S. HEALTHCARE STUDY, JULY 2020

Implications

The sharp rise in U.S. healthcare costs, which was already a significant problem for Americans before the COVID-19 pandemic, has only been exacerbated by new challenges presented by the outbreak. In recent months, for example, 14% of Americans with likely COVID-19 symptoms reported that they would avoid care because of cost, and 88% are concerned about rising drug costs due to the pandemic. These COVID-19-related cost worries also come with a substantial racial divide.

Dovetailing with the new health-related concerns brought on by the coronavirus outbreak is the economic catastrophe that -- despite the recouping of millions of jobs since May -- persists in the form of 28 million people receiving some form of unemployment aid at the end of July. As such, Americans' concerns about a major health event putting them in bankruptcy, while substantial in early 2019, are likely only intensified today because of the pandemic.

The disproportionate manner in which minorities have suffered the effects of the pandemic is reflected in higher rates of concern about bankruptcy among non-White respondents, which have jumped from 52% in early 2019 to 64% today. And the elevated level of bankruptcy concerns among adults younger than 50 corresponds with substantially higher percentages of younger adults (versus older adults) who report that a friend or family member passed away in the prior five years after not having the money to pay for needed treatment.

The troublesome confluence of the need to borrow money to pay a medical bill and subsequently carrying medical debt for a year or more comes at a time when two-thirds of Americans are reporting an increase in the price of their prescription drugs.

In the midst of this burgeoning crisis in healthcare costs and associated debt, a U.S. election looms. Despite the severe disruption the global pandemic is causing most Americans, curtailing the ongoing rising costs of prescription drugs could be an important issue factoring into their choice of candidate.

(Gallup USA)

September 01, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/317948/fear-bankruptcy-due-major-health-event.aspx

654-43-25/Country Profile: United States

USA3

SUMMARY OF POLLS

ASIA

(Pakistan)

Over 1 in 2 Pakistanis opine that coronavirus is a laboratory-made virus and is spread around the world on purpose

According to a Gilani Research Foundation Survey carried out by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, over 1 in 2 Pakistanis opine that coronavirus is a laboratory-made virus and is spread around the world on purpose. A nationally representative sample of adult men and women from across the four provinces was asked the following question, “To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: ‘I think Coronavirus is a laboratory-made virus spread in the world on purpose’?” In response to this question, 54% agreed, 31% disagreed and 15% say they do not know/did not respond.

(Gallup Pakistan)

September 02, 2020

MENA

(KSA)

Panda’s ‘Back to School’ campaign strikes a chord with the Saudi public

Panda, the retail company, enjoyed the greatest improvement in Ad Awareness of any brand during August. The uplift coincides with the brands back to school campaign, which focuses on getting ready for the new school year and the associated special offers on school supplies. In addition to the messaging highlighting the back to school promotions, Panda has also created recipe tutorial videos. These were shared on social media and centred around meals and snacks that can be prepared to take to school, using ingredients available at Panda stores. (YouGov)

September 07, 2020

AFRICA

(Guinea)

Guineans expect more in education

Seven out of 10 Guineans (73%) are dissatisfied with the government's performance in terms of meeting education needs, according to the latest Afrobarometer national survey. Likewise, many Guineans find it difficult, and even forced to pay bribes, to get the services they need from teachers or school leaders. Although most of the sites visited have schools, these schools are not distributed evenly across the country. The urban areas and administrative regions of N'Zérékoré, Conakry, Kindia, Kankan and Mamou are the best provided. (Afrobarometer)

September 03, 2020

EUROPE

(Germany)

Joe Biden is still ahead for Germans in the US presidential campaign

In two months, on November 3, 2020, the citizens of the United States will elect their new president. Currently, 43 percent of Germans say that Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate would be the next US president. In June 2020, 32 percent said this, in July the value rose by 10 percentage points to 42 percent. Only 14 percent are currently predicting a victory for incumbent President Donald Trump. In June, 17 percent believed that he would be re-elected, in July 12 percent. (YouGov)

September 03, 2020

(Germany)

The crime scene & police call in the first: At Til Schweiger crime scenes, most of the time it is not switched on

The summer break ends on Sunday, September 6th - the new crime scene and police call episodes in the first run again. 49 percent of the Germans surveyed watch the Sunday evening crime thriller on ARD. Another 49 percent do not watch him. One in ten Germans (10 percent) always looks at it, most frequently respondents aged 55 and over (15 percent), one in five of the German respondents (21 percent) looks at it sometimes. Respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 (60 percent) most often state that they do not even watch the Sunday evening thriller.

(YouGov)

September 04, 2020

(France)

The brands making the most progress in August 2020

Intermarché won first place in the ranking. We mainly observe an increase in brand image indicators suggesting that the French retail chain has been able to take advantage of the fall.

Oasis climbs to second place in the ranking. At the end of July, the brand unveiled a new multi-media campaign (digital, display, TV, cinema) which seems to have made an impression. Promoting the “fun” side of the brand, Oasis unveils a refreshing and humorous spot that has had a positive effect on Intent to buy indicators. (YouGov)

September 04, 2020

(UK)

Just 13% of reusable mask wearers are washing them frequently enough, and in the right way

When the British Government made mask usage compulsory in shops in England, the proportion of Britons doing a facial covering shot up from 38% to 69% in a matter of three weeks, finally bringing Britain in line with the rest of the world. 32% are washing their mask after every use, the correct procedure. And even among these people, only 41% are washing them at 60 degrees or higher – lower temperatures are not enough to kill viruses like COVID-19. This means that, overall, just one in eight (13%) of those who wear washable, reusable face masks are actually maintaining them in a way that is helpful to stopping the spread of coronavirus. (YouGov)

August 31, 2020

(UK)

One in six parents in England and Wales seriously considering keeping their children out of school

The Parents Omnibus survey interviewed 653 parents of school-age children (ages 4-16) in England and Wales, and found that one in six (17%) are seriously consider not sending their children to school, including 6% who say they are “very seriously” considering it. Nevertheless, seven in ten (70%) are either not very seriously contemplating such drastic steps (17%), or aren’t considering it at all (53%). (YouGov)

September 01, 2020

(UK)

Most Britons would prefer to receive a text over a phone call

“It’s good to talk”, the old BT adverts used to say. However, data from YouGov Profiles shows that is no longer the case, with the majority of Brits (55%) saying they would prefer to receive a text over a phone call. Less than a third (31%) savor the sound of someone’s voice over the written word, while another 14% don’t feel strongly either way.

(YouGov)

September 01, 2020

(UK)

Who are the four in ten Britons who say “advertising helps me choose what to buy”?

Data from YouGov Profiles shows that close to four in ten Britons (38%) agree with the statement “advertising helps me choose what to buy”. Such Britons are more likely than the general public to say they like brands that are willing to get involved in social issues (57% vs 44%), and indeed are more inclined to purchase from a brand that expresses views they agree with in their adverts (62% vs 46%). They are also more likely to say they enjoy watching adverts containing their favorite celebrities, by 43% to 23%.(YouGov)

September 01, 2020

(UK)

COVID-19 forces one in twenty renters to move

New YouGov data paints a gloomy picture of how renters have fared during the coronavirus outbreak. The pandemic has forced one in twenty people who rent (5%) to move since March. One in five current renters (19%) have relied on Government assistance such as housing benefits to keep up with rent payments during the pandemic. A further 9% either had their application declined or did not have the option (for example, if subletting) while 7% were not aware it was possible. Among all renters, 11% have received financial support from their parents or other family. (YouGov)

September 01, 2020

(UK)

Quarter of Brits would never buy secondhand clothes or accessories

YouGov Profiles data indicates that a quarter of the British public (26%) say they “would never” buy secondhand clothes or accessories. Nearly three in ten (28%) Brits have bought something from a charity shop in the three months before they were polled, while a third (33%) have donated something to a charity shop over the same period of time. Of those who have purchased a secondhand item, half (48%) are over 55 and a third (32%) are between 35 and 54. Just 19% are aged 18 to 34. Those who donate to charity shops also trend older: half (50%) are over 55, a third (33%) are between 35 and 54, and a fifth (19%) are aged 18 to 24. (YouGov)

September 02, 2020

(UK)

A third of renters worry about affording food

The coronavirus crisis has had a greater impact on employment among people who rent than those who own their own home. While 68% of workers who own their home are either working from home full-time or going into work as normal, this figure is significantly lower among those who rent (56%). Employees who rent are more likely to be unable to work at all as a result of the pandemic (9% vs. 3% of employed owners). (YouGov)

September 04, 2020

NORTH AMERICA

Americans See Skepticism of News Media as Healthy, Say Public Trust in the Institution Can Improve

In a year filled with major news stories – from impeachment to a contentious election, from a global pandemic to nationwide protests over racial injustice – Americans continue to have a complicated relationship with the news media. While large swaths of the public often express negative views toward journalists and news organizations, a major Pew Research Center analysis also finds areas where U.S. adults feel more affinity toward the media and express open-mindedness about the possibility that their trust in the industry could improve. (PEW)

August 31, 2020

U.S. Remote Workdays Have Doubled During Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a surge in remote work. However, that surge is more apparent in the number of remote working days for telecommuters than in the number of workers moving from on-site to at-home work. Since Gallup last asked about remote work in October 2019, there has been a modest uptick in the percentage of U.S. workers who report having ever telecommuted for work, from 42% to 49%. The recent figures demonstrate the growth in remote work over recent decades from 9% in Gallup's initial measurement in 1995. (Gallup USA)

August 31, 2020

Broad Bipartisan Support for Additional Stimulus in U.S.

As Congress and the Trump administration remain deadlocked in talks over the next coronavirus stimulus package, seven in 10 Americans (70%) say they would support the government sending an additional economic impact payment (EIP) to all qualified adults. These stimulus payments, which were first distributed in April as part of the popular CARES Act, are widely supported as the U.S. economy continues to face high unemployment amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Gallup USA)

September 01, 2020

U.S. Workers' Worries Spike Amid COVID's Economic Impact

As the U.S. continues to reel from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with unprecedented closure of businesses and public health restrictions to stem the spread of the disease, American workers' worries about setbacks to their employment have spiked. More than a quarter, 27% of U.S. workers now say they are worried they will be laid off from their jobs, up from 15% a year ago. Twenty-seven percent of U.S. workers now fear their hours will be cut back, up from 15% in 2019, while 28% fear their wages will be reduced, up from 16% last year. (Gallup USA)

September 01, 2020

50% in U.S. Fear Bankruptcy Due to Major Health Event

Half of all U.S. adults are concerned that a major health event in their household could lead to bankruptcy, an increase from 45% measured in early 2019. These results, based on a new study by West Health and Gallup, also show that the percentage of non-White adults who harbor this concern has risen from 52% to 64%. This study is based on 1,007 interviews with U.S. adults conducted from July 1-24, 2020. Over the past year, concerns about medical bankruptcy have increased 12 and nine percentage points, respectively, among adults aged 18-29 and 30-49. (Gallup USA)

September 01, 2020

U.S. Perceptions of White-Black Relations Sink to New Low

Americans' already tepid review of relations between White and Black Americans has soured since 2018 and is now the most negative of any year in Gallup's trend since 2001. The majority of U.S. adults say relations between White and Black Americans are very (24%) or somewhat bad (31%), while less than half call them very (7%) or somewhat (37%) good. The percentage rating relations good was 63% in 2001. It peaked at 72% in 2004 and remained high through 2013, before falling to 47% in 2015. Since then, the percentage rating relations good has been under 50%, including 44% in the latest reading, from 2020. (Gallup USA)

September 02, 2020

At 65%, Approval of Labor Unions in U.S. Remains High

As Labor Day approaches and economic conditions in the U.S. remain tenuous, Americans' 65% approval of labor unions is once again the highest it has been since 2003. Public support for labor unions has been generally rising since hitting its lowest point of 48% in 2009, during the Great Recession. Gallup's initial reading of the public's support for labor unions was 72% in 1936, at the advent of the modern U.S. organized labor movement, and approval peaked at 75% in 1953 and 1957. The lowest ratings to date have been recorded during particularly weak economic times. (Gallup USA)

September 03, 2020

AUSTRALIA

Melbourne residents now evenly divided on visiting family

Of all Victorians, 47% (up 4% on a week ago) say Melburnians should be able to visit the homes of immediate family members rising to 50% of residents of Melbourne. An increasing majority of 57% (up 5%) of older Victorians aged 65+, say Melburnians should be able to visit the homes of their immediate family. This is despite being the age group at the greatest risk during the pandemic. Support for other restrictions has reduced on a week ago but still attract majority support across the board. (Roy Morgan)

Date: September 02 2020

MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES

Three in four adults globally say they’d get a vaccine for COVID -19

Most do not expect any will be available before the end of year; fear of side effects is top reason for not wanting to take the vaccine. In a new Ipsos survey of nearly 20,000 adults from 27 countries on behalf of the World Economic Forum, 74% say they would get a vaccine for COVID-19 if it were available. However, 59% do not expect this will be an option before the end of this year. The reason most commonly given by those who would not get a vaccine is worry about side effects (56%) followed by doubt about its effectiveness (29%). (Ipsos)

September 01, 2020

Most Approve of National Response to COVID-19 in 14 Advanced Economies

Countries’ approaches to combat the spread of the coronavirus have varied throughout Europe, North America, Australia, Japan and South Korea, but most publics in these regions believe their own country has done a good job of dealing with the outbreak, according to a new Pew Research Center survey of 14 advanced economies. Overall, a median of 73% across the nations say their country has done a good job of handling novel coronavirus, which has reached nearly every corner of the globe, infected more than 20 million people worldwide and resulted in the deaths of several hundred thousand. (PEW)

September 27, 2020

ASIA

654-43-01/Poll

Over 1 in 2 Pakistanis opine that coronavirus is a laboratory-made virus and is spread around the world on purpose

A nationally representative sample of adult men and women from across the four provinces was asked the following question, “To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: ‘I think Coronavirus is a laboratory-made virus spread in the world on purpose’?” In response to this question, 54% agreed, 31% disagreed and 15% say they do not know/did not respond.

(Gallup Pakistan)

September 02, 2020

Source: https://gallup.com.pk/post/30386

MENA

654-43-02/Poll

Panda’s ‘Back to School’ campaign strikes a chord with the Saudi public

During August, Panda achieved the highest uplift in Ad Awareness of any brand in Saudi Arabia

In addition to the messaging highlighting the back to school promotions, Panda has also created recipe tutorial videos. These were shared on social media and centred around meals and snacks that can be prepared to take to school, using ingredients available at Panda stores.

YouGov brand tracking data shows that the campaign has resonated with the general public, with Panda’s Ad Awareness score rising by 8.2 points, from +20.9 at the beginning of the month, to +29.1 on the 26^th August. Among females, these numbers are even higher, with Ad Awareness reaching +31.0 at the end of August, increasing by 12 points throughout the month.

adwareness_of_Panda_is_the_greatest

Looking at how this uplift in Ad Awareness has impacted Consideration for Panda, at the total population level, Consideration has increased by a slight 1.5 points. However, among females, Consideration for Panda has increased significantly, by 10.3 points, from +24.5 in July (simple average for the month), compared to +34.8 for all of August. This shows that while the adverts have cut through and were noticed at the total population level when analysing the impact of the campaign, the behavioural changes were apparent only among females.

consideration_forpanda_is_highest_among_Female

The success of this campaign will continue to be tracked in BrandIndex over the coming weeks, and we will get a better idea of whether these campaigns have translated to greater Current Customer numbers for Panda in KSA.

(YouGov)

September 07, 2020

Source: https://mena.yougov.com/en/news/2020/09/07/pandas-back-school-campaign-strikes-chord-saudi-pu/

AFRICA

654-43-03/Poll

Guineans expect more in education

Although most of the sites visited have schools, these schools are not distributed evenly across the country. The urban areas and administrative regions of N'Zérékoré, Conakry, Kindia, Kankan and Mamou are the best provided.

Among Guineans who have come into contact with a public school, four in 10 say it is difficult to get the services they need, and many say they have paid bribes to teachers or school leaders to get the services they needed.

Guineans place education among their top five priorities that the government should tackle. But the majority of them feel that the government is responding poorly to their concerns about education services. These data thus challenge the State and the stakeholders working in the education sector.

(Afrobarometer)

September 03, 2020

Source: https://www.afrobarometer.org/press/les-guineens-sattendent-plus-dans-le-domaine-de-leducation

EUROPE

654-43-04/Poll

Joe Biden is still ahead for Germans in the US presidential campaign

From the perspective of Germans, the most important issue for US citizens at the moment is jobs and the economy (27 percent). This means that this aspect has increased by three percentage points compared to June 2020. Germans still believe that the second most important topic for US citizens is health care (20 percent). Citizens and civil liberties are named as the most important issue by 11 percent. Americans themselves see health care as the most important issue (28 percent), jobs and the economy as the second most important. This is what a quarter of respondents say (25 percent). Civil rights and civil liberties are cited as the top issue by 8 percent of US respondents.

The closer the US presidential election approaches, the more the German respondents follow the election campaign in the US. Whereas in June it was still 35 percent who said they had read, seen or heard articles on the US presidential election campaign in German-language media, 40 percent said so in July and 48 percent of German respondents in August. 17 percent say that the US presidential election is currently more important than most other political issues. In June it was 6 percentage points less.

Methodology: Based on the YouGov Omnibus, 2,049 people entitled to vote between June 18 and 22, 2020, 2,038 people eligible to vote between July 30 and August 4, 2020 and 2,019 people eligible to vote between August 20 and 24, 2020 were surveyed using standardized Interviewed online. The results are weighted and representative for the German population aged 18 and over.

(YouGov)

September 03, 2020

Source: https://yougov.de/news/2020/09/03/joe-biden-liegt-fur-deutsche-im-us-prasidentschaft/

654-43-05/Poll

The crime scene & police call in the first: At Til Schweiger crime scenes, most of the time it is not switched on

When asked which commissioner or commissioner team the Germans would rather not turn on the Sunday evening crime thriller, 12 percent of those surveyed who watch the Sunday evening crime thriller in Erste said the Til Schweiger crime scenes (Tschiller und Gümer from Hamburg) on. 8 percent said this about the teams Borowski and Sahin from Kiel and Eisner and Fellner from Vienna. 37 percent of the Sunday night crime thriller watchers say that the commissioners or commissioner teams have no influence on whether they watch the Sunday evening crime thriller or not.

A quarter (25 percent) of those surveyed who generally watch the ARD crime thriller but cannot switch it on at 8.15 p.m., watch it in the ARD media library at a later time. 15 percent record it on their TV set in order to watch it at a later point in time. Two out of five (40 percent) state that if they are prevented from looking at the crime scene / police call, they do not even find out about it.

(YouGov)

September 04, 2020

Source: https://yougov.de/news/2020/09/04/der-tatort-polizeiruf-im-ersten-bei-til-schweiger-/

654-43-06/Poll

The brands making the most progress in August 2020

Intermarché won first place in the ranking. We mainly observe an increase in brand image indicators suggesting that the French retail chain has been able to take advantage of the fall.

Oasis climbs to second place in the ranking. At the end of July, the brand unveiled a new multi-media campaign (digital, display, TV, cinema) which seems to have made an impression. Promoting the “fun” side of the brand, Oasis unveils a refreshing and humorous spot that has had a positive effect on Intent to buy indicators.

With a significant increase in almost all of the Visibility and Brand Images indicators, Mont Blanc took third place. Combining pleasure and quality for both gourmets and the little ones, the dessert brand has attracted the attention of the French in a positive way.

Hydralin is in fourth place in the ranking. The significant increase in Visibility indicators seems to be explained by the positive impact linked to the dissemination of an advertising spot aimed at promoting the Hydralin washing skincare range.

Vistaprint closes the ranking of the brands that have made the most progress in August. The brand sees its Visibility and its Purchase Intent increase. The advertising campaign "Without you we would not be us" probably explains this craze on the part of the French.

Methodology: Brand Index: the real-time & continuous monitoring tool for brands and all the speeches dedicated to them. In France, more than 1,100 brands are assessed on a daily basis via our panel of around 350,000 respondents.

(YouGov)

September 04, 2020

Source: https://fr.yougov.com/news/2020/09/04/les-marques-qui-progressent-le-plus-en-aout-2020/

654-43-07/Poll

Just 13% of reusable mask wearers are washing them frequently enough, and in the right way

32% are washing their mask after every use, the correct procedure. And even among these people, only 41% are washing them at 60 degrees or higher – lower temperatures are not enough to kill viruses like COVID-19. This means that, overall, just one in eight (13%) of those who wear washable, reusable face masks are actually maintaining them in a way that is helpful to stopping the spread of coronavirus.

The results showed that in fact 15% (about one in seven) of washable, reusable mask wearers have never washed their face masks. They also show that men are only half as likely as women (20% vs 40%) to be washing their face masks after every use. Similarly, they are twice as likely (20% vs 11%) to have never washed their mask.

Around three in ten (31%) mask wearers use single use disposable face masks. The results show that most of this group haven’t grasped the “single use” aspect of these masks, with the majority (56%) wearing disposable face masks more than once. This includes a particularly worrying 7% who have never thrown one away after wearing them.

Just 44% are throwing their single use disposable face masks in the bin after one wear. Men (40%) and less likely to be doing so than women (47%).

(YouGov)

August 31, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/health/articles-reports/2020/08/31/just-13-reusable-mask-wearers-are-washing-them-fre

654-43-08/Poll

One in six parents in England and Wales seriously considering keeping their children out of school

With the government having recently u-turned on making secondary school children wear masks, the results also find that close to half of parents (47%) think that masks should be worn, compared to 36% who are opposed.

Parents can normally be fined for keeping their children out of school without good reason, and education secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed that coronavirus fears are not a sufficient excuse this term. Almost half of parents (48%) think that is unfair, with close to four in ten (39%) thinking it is justified.

(YouGov)

September 01, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/education/articles-reports/2020/09/01/one-six-parents-england-and-wales-seriously-consid

654-43-09/Poll

Most Britons would prefer to receive a text over a phone call

Age Breakdown: Age is a key factor – Britons under the age of 40 prefer texts by 72% to 15-16%. Those aged 40-54 also prefer text by a wide margin of 61% to 25%. Only the over 55s like to be called up, at a rate of 49% to 35%.

Texters are more likely to say that their mental weaknesses include “social skills” (33% vs 21% of callers), “verbal” (15% vs 10%) and “concentration span” (30% vs 25%). They are also more likely to say they don’t like confrontation (38% vs 29%).

(YouGov)

September 01, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/technology/articles-reports/2020/09/01/most-britons-would-prefer-receive-text-over-phone-

654-43-10/Poll

Who are the four in ten Britons who say “advertising helps me choose what to buy”?

Data from YouGov Profiles shows that close to four in ten Britons (38%) agree with the statement “advertising helps me choose what to buy”.

Such Britons are more likely than the general public to say they like brands that are willing to get involved in social issues (57% vs 44%), and indeed are more inclined to purchase from a brand that expresses views they agree with in their adverts (62% vs 46%).

They are also more likely to say they enjoy watching adverts containing their favorite celebrities, by 43% to 23%.

Age Breakdown: Those who are more influenced by adverts tend to be younger in general. More than a quarter (28%) are aged 18-29, compared to 20% of all Britons. Four in ten are aged 30-50 (compared to 35% of the population). Only a third (32%) are aged 51 or above, compared to 45% of all Britons.

(YouGov)

September 01, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/finance/articles-reports/2020/09/01/who-are-four-ten-britons-who-say-advertising-helps

654-43-11/Poll

COVID-19 forces one in twenty renters to move

And while 6% of renters have borrowed money from family or friends to be able to pay rent, this figure is twice as high among 18- to 24-year-olds at 13%, while 15% were unable to ask for help or were declined.

One in eight renters (12%) have fallen behind with bills because of the pandemic, while 6% have missed rent payments. The numbers vary across age groups. A fifth of renters aged 35 to 44 (19%) have defaulted on bills, while one in ten 45- to 54-year-olds who rent (10%) have missed rent payments. In contrast, only 2% of mortgaged home owners have failed to pay their bills or mortgage payments.

(YouGov)

September 01, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/economy/articles-reports/2020/09/01/covid-19-forces-one-twenty-renters-move

654-43-12/Poll

Quarter of Brits would never buy secondhand clothes or accessories

Brits who have bought something from a charity shop in the past few months are much more likely to favor secondhand purchases (42% vs. 29% of the public). But our data also suggests that, while three in ten (31%) of those who donate to charity shops prefer to buy things secondhand, a fifth (21%) aren’t willing to buy from them at all – compared to a quarter (27%) of the general public.

(YouGov)

September 02, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/consumer/articles-reports/2020/09/02/quarter-brits-would-never-buy-secondhand-clothes-o

654-43-13/Poll

A third of renters worry about affording food

Employees who rent are more likely to be unable to work at all as a result of the pandemic (9% vs. 3% of employed owners). One in seven workers who rent (15%) have been furloughed at any point since March, while the figure among working homeowners is 11%.

Workers who rent are also more likely to have been made redundant at 6% compared with owners (2%).

Three in ten renters are scared about their debt level (30%) or not being able to pay rent (28%) – figures well above those seen among homeowners, of whom just 17% worry about bills and 10% about mortgage payments.

Over a fifth of renters (22%) worry about losing their job, compared with 16% of owners.

The only instance where owners and renters are alike is in worrying about their savings, at respectively 34% and 37%.

(YouGov)

September 04, 2020

Source: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/economy/articles-reports/2020/09/04/third-renters-worry-about-affording-food

NORTH AMERICA

654-43-14/Poll

Americans See Skepticism of News Media as Healthy, Say Public Trust in the Institution Can Improve

72% of U.S. adults say news organizations do an insufficient job telling their audiences where their money comes from

While large swaths of the public often express negative views toward journalists and news organizations, a major Pew Research Center analysis – culminating a yearlong study on Americans’ views of the news media – also finds areas where U.S. adults feel more affinity toward the media and express open-mindedness about the possibility that their trust in the industry could improve. No more than half of U.S. adults feel confident in the news media or think other Americans feel this way

Many Americans remain skeptical toward the news media, questioning not only the quality of journalists’ work but their intentions behind it. For instance, no more than half of U.S. adults have confidence in journalists to act in the best interests of the public, or think that other Americans have confidence in the institution. And the public is more likely than not to say to say that news organizations do not care about the people they report on.

While most Americans (61%) expect the news they get to be accurate, nearly seven-in-ten (69%) think news organizations generally try to cover up mistakes when they do happen.

The reasons for why Americans think these mistakes happen underscore the distrust that substantial portions of the public feel: Many say that careless reporting (55%) or even a desire to mislead the public (44%) are major factors behind significant mistakes in news stories, although other, less negligent or nefarious reasons such as the rapid pace of breaking news (53%) also are seen as responsible for mistakes.

Americans take issue with what they perceive as a lack of transparency by news organizations – both with respect to the work they do and the inner workings of their companies. Indeed, not only do many people see news outlets as opaque in how they produce their stories and choose their sources, but a large majority – 72% – say news organizations do an insufficient job explaining to the public where their money comes from

Many Americans see news organizations as opaque, particularly when it comes to their financing

Six-in-ten U.S. adults also say news organizations are not forthcoming about conflicts of interest. On top of that, a vast majority of Americans (80%) think that the news they get is at least “somewhat” influenced by financial and corporate interests.

But findings from the study also suggest that the relationship between Americans and the media is not a lost cause. For one, the public gives the media fairly high marks for coverage of specific issues and events, including the recent coronavirus outbreak and the protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd.

And public skepticism toward the media does not appear to be purely antagonistic: Most Americans view some level of wariness toward the news media as healthy for a well-functioning society. Overall, 63% of U.S. adults say that, in an ideal world, it is better for society if Americans are skeptical of the news media. Far fewer (36%) say it is better if people are trusting of the news media.

Still, when asked directly whether Americans think their level of confidence in journalists can improve, three-quarters say such an outcome is possible.

This raises the question: Where might there be opportunities for the news media to gain more trust? First and foremost, the survey finds that personal connections with news tie strongly to Americans’ views of the media overall, echoing earlier Pew Research Center findings at the local level. Americans who feel connected to news outlets – whether in feeling valued by, understood by or loyal to them – express far more positive views toward the news media. For instance, those who feel that their news sources value them are much more likely to expect their news to be accurate and to think news outlets are transparent with audiences.

Over half of Americans desire a personal connection with their news sources …

According to the findings, there is plenty of room for improvement in this area: While most Americans want to have personal connections with their news sources, many do not experience it (again in line with previous Center findings on local news). More than half of U.S. adults say their news outlets do not particularly value them (57%) or that news organizations do not understand people like them (59%), and nearly two-thirds (63%) say they do not feel particularly loyal to the outlets they get their news from.

Americans’ personal connections with specific news stories also are linked with their attitudes toward the media. When Americans encounter news stories that hit close to home, they generally have good things to say about the media’s coverage. Roughly two-thirds of those who felt personally connected to a story – either because it covered an issue they believe they are an expert on, or because it was about a significant event that they experienced or witnessed – think that story was covered well. And those who feel this way express far more favorable views toward the news media in general than those who think the story was not covered well.

One of the most fundamental ways this manifests itself is in whether people think the news they get is accurate. About three-quarters of those who think that an issue in their wheelhouse or an event they experienced was covered well (74%) also believe the news they get overall is largely accurate. Among those who say that a story close to them missed the mark, just 39% expect to encounter accurate news; this group also is far more likely to feel that news organizations do not understand people like them۔

Being transparent about corrections is another area where the public says news organizations have an opportunity to gain trust. While Americans perceive a range of reasons why mistakes in stories happen, about half (51%) say that seeing official corrections from news outlets makes them more confident in that outlet, compared with just 12% who say it makes them less confident.

Many Americans say that seeing corrections to news stories increases their confidence in news outlets

These are among the key findings from a yearlong study of Americans’ trust and attitudes toward the news media. This report draws on data included in a previously published report that looked at more than 50 Pew Research Center surveys; new survey data collected both before and during the COVID-19 outbreak; and a series of 10 focus groups conducted in three U.S. cities in November 2019. But the bulk of this report is based on previously unreleased data from a survey conducted Feb. 18-March 2, 2020, among 10,300 U.S. adults who are part of the Center’s American Trends Panel. Quotations drawn from the focus groups are scattered throughout the report; these quotes are not intended to be representative of Americans’ views. Instead, the quotations serve as examples of how everyday people think about these topics when they have the opportunity to express themselves in their own words.

Deep partisan divides in views of the news media, with Republicans who support Trump most critical

The first phase of this yearlong study established that partisanship is the strongest factor in Americans’ views of the news media. And support for Donald Trump, who continues to strike a combative tone toward journalists, is another dividing line – particularly within the Republican Party.

One area in which this plays out is in perceptions of why errors occur in news stories. Republicans overall are more likely to think that mistakes happen because of ill will. Six-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents cite a desire to mislead audiences as a major reason why significant mistakes make their way into news stories, compared with about a third of Democrats (32%) who feel this way. And within the GOP, this view is especially prevalent among Republicans who strongly approve of the job that Trump is doing as president.

But just because Republicans consistently express far more negative sentiments toward the news media does not mean that Democrats are always singing the media’s praises. For example, Democrats – like Republicans – are more likely to say that news outlets do not care about the people they report on than say they do care.

There also are places where the two parties see more eye to eye. Majorities of both parties think it is beneficial for society to be skeptical of the news media, large portions think that confidence in the institution can increase, and they generally agree on the qualities that are important in choosing news sources۔

Black Americans seek out news sources that cover people like themselves

The study also finds that beyond partisanship, there also are sharp differences across certain segments of the population in their attitudes of, relationships with and priorities for the news media. At a time when questions about representation in newsrooms are amplified in the wake of the protests in response to the killing of George Floyd, Black adults also are far more likely than others to say it is important to see themselves both in news coverage and in the newsroom.

When asked whether six different aspects of personal connections between news organizations and their audiences are important in deciding where to get their news from, Black Americans are more likely than White Americans to say each is at least somewhat important. But two factors related to representation stand out: Nearly seven-in-ten Black adults (68%) say it is at least somewhat important that their news outlets cover people like them, 27 percentage points higher than White adults (41%) and 14 points above Hispanic adults (54%). And nearly four-in-ten Black Americans (38%), along with a third of Hispanic Americans (33%), think it is important for the journalists themselves at a news outlet to look or sound like them, compared with just 13% of White Americans who say the same.

(PEW)

August 31, 2020

Source: https://www.journalism.org/2020/08/31/americans-see-skepticism-of-news-media-as-healthy-say-public-trust-in-the-institution-can-improve/

654-43-15/Poll

U.S. Remote Workdays Have Doubled During Pandemic

Since Gallup last asked about remote work in October 2019, there has been a modest uptick in the percentage of U.S. workers who report having ever telecommuted for work, from 42% to 49%. The recent figures demonstrate the growth in remote work over recent decades from 9% in Gallup's initial measurement in 1995.

Line graph. Forty-nine percent of U.S. workers say they have ever telecommuted for their job a modest increase from 42% in 2019. From 2006 through 2015 between 30% and 37% of workers said they had telecommuted. When the question was first asked in 1995 9% had telecommuted.

While the percentage of U.S. workers who have telecommuted has changed modestly, the average number of workdays telecommuters are working from home has more than doubled, from 5.8 days per month last fall to 11.9 days currently. Among all U.S. workers, the average number of telecommuting days has also more than doubled, from 2.4 per month to 5.8.

Line graph. Assuming 20 workdays per month U.S. workers report working remotely 5.8 days per month an increase from 2.4 in 2019 and averages near 2.0 between 2006 and 2015. Among people who have telecommuted the average number of remote workdays in 2020 is 11.9 per month up from averages near 6 in prior years.

These results are based on Gallup's annual Work and Education poll, conducted July 30-Aug. 12.

The poll finds 26% of U.S. workers currently saying they have worked entirely from home in recent weeks, while 51% are working entirely from a location outside their home, with one in five reporting a mix of on-site and remote work.

One in Four U.S. Workers Working Entirely From Home

Which of the following best describes your work situation in the past few weeks during your normal working hours? Did you work -- [entirely from home, mostly from home, about equally from home and at a location outside your home, mostly at a location outside your home, entirely at a location outside your home]?

	U.S. workers
	%
Entirely from home	26
Mostly from home	8
About equally from home/outside home	4
Mostly from a location outside your home	8
Entirely from a location outside your home	51
No opinion	2
GALLUP, JULY 30-AUG. 12, 2020

Nearly half of those who have ever telecommuted, 45%, say they have been working entirely from home in recent weeks, with another 14% working mostly from home. This question had not been asked previously, so it is not possible to know how those figures compare with before the pandemic.

However, 13% of telecommuters and 5% of all workers in 2019 said they worked from home 20 days a month (assuming 20 monthly workdays). Now, the figures are 45% and 22%, respectively.

College Graduates Much More Likely to Work Remotely

As might be expected, telecommuting is much more common among Americans with a college degree than those without one. Employed college graduates are more than twice as likely as employees without a college degree to work remotely. This is seen in the percentages reporting that they have ever telecommuted, as well as in the number of days they report working remotely and in their self-reports of whether they are currently working entirely from home.

Remote Work by Demographics

	Ever telecommuted	Average days telecommute/month	Working entirely from home
	%		%
Education
College graduate	76	9.2	38
Not college graduate	31	3.5	17
Gender
Women	60	7.9	35
Men	41	4.2	19
Age
18-34 years	47	5.1	20
35-54 years	47	5.5	29
55+ years	57	7.2	27
GALLUP, JULY 30-AUG. 12, 2020

The survey also shows that working women are more likely than working men to be performing their job functions remotely.

The differences between younger and older workers' likelihood to work remotely are not statistically meaningful.

An analysis of prior Gallup data on occupation finds that the vast majority of college graduates work in what can be considered white-collar occupations, and that women are much more likely than men to do so.

Last year, an average of 63% of college graduates versus 29% of college nongraduates had ever telecommuted, so the growth in telecommuting has come almost entirely among those with higher educational attainment. Also, before this year, men and women were about equally likely to say they had ever telecommuted for work. The emerging gender gap in remote work probably reflects women's greater presence in white-collar than blue-collar jobs.

Implications

The widespread closure of businesses and schools to control the spread of the coronavirus sent unemployment soaring. The jobs situation would have been much worse if not for advances in technology that allow many workers to complete their work remotely. Close to half of U.S. workers have now taken advantage of opportunities to telecommute, and currently about one-quarter are doing so every workday.

Of course, not every job can be done remotely; therefore, the growth of telecommuting has a ceiling. Half of U.S. workers currently say they do their job entirely at a location outside their home. Given this, and that half of U.S. workers report they have never telecommuted, the growth in the proportion of the workforce that could telecommute may have reached that ceiling during the pandemic. Further growth in remote work may thus come in the amount of time workers spend outside the office or work site, rather than in the number of workers who do so.

Having an expanded remote workforce alters the dynamics for employers in many ways. Remote work changes the considerations on where employers can find and attract new hires. For example, flexible work arrangements have special appeal to millennials and women. But remote work also can create both challenges and opportunities when it comes to worker engagement, worker productivity and maintaining company culture. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend toward remote work and has made companies' policies toward it even more crucial to their success.

(Gallup USA)

August 31, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/318173/remote-workdays-doubled-during-pandemic.aspx

654-43-16/Poll

Broad Bipartisan Support for Additional Stimulus in U.S.

Despite deep polarization on a number of policies related to COVID-19, an additional EIP receives strong support among both Democrats and Republicans. Democrats (82%) are most likely to favor the federal government sending another direct payment to all qualified U.S. adults (based on their income level), with about two-thirds of Republicans (64%) and independents (66%) saying the same.

Widespread Support for Additional Stimulus Payments

Do you think the federal government should or should not send another one-time economic impact payment to all qualified adults (a direct payment to all qualified U.S. adults based on income level)?

	Yes, should	No, should not	Don't know
	%	%	%
U.S. adults	70	17	13
Democrats	82	9	9
Republicans	64	24	12
Independents	66	19	15
18-34	65	22	13
35-44	77	11	12
45-54	70	18	12
55-64	68	17	15
65+	73	16	11
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON-GALLUP ECONOMICS OF RECOVERY STUDY, AUG. 3-11, 2020

These results from the Franklin Templeton-Gallup Economics of Recovery Study, conducted Aug. 3-11, highlight bipartisan support for an additional wave of stimulus payments.

Majorities across racial groups support another one-time stimulus payment -- and while the same is true among age groups, there is some variation by age. Younger adults are the least likely to support an additional EIP, even though nearly two-thirds of this group are in favor of the policy.

Consensus Around Amount of Additional Payments

Given the discussion of different EIP amounts among lawmakers, this study also explored views on the maximum size of new stimulus payments. Respondents who thought the federal government should send another one-time EIP were asked what the maximum level of the next stimulus payment should be. They were then given hypothetical ranges, from less than $300 to $900 or more. The majority of these respondents said that the maximum payout should be set at $900 or above.

Earlier in 2020, tax filers with adjusted gross incomes up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns received payments of $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples. For those with incomes above these amounts, payments were reduced.

Support for setting maximum payments at $900 or more is high among both Democrats and Republicans. Two-thirds of Democrats who support an additional EIP (68%) think each qualified adult should receive $900 or more. A majority of Republicans (60%) and independents (65%) who support this policy also believe that the payments should be $900 or more.

Older supporters of an additional EIP are more likely to think these payments should be at least $900. Seventy-five percent of those aged 65 and older and 77% of adults aged 55 to 64 think the payments should be this amount, compared with 42% of 18- to 34-year-olds.

Americans' Views on the Size of Potential Stimulus Payment

How much do you think the maximum payment sent by the federal government to each qualified adult should be?*

	$900 or more	$600-$899	$300-$599	Less than $300
	%	%	%	%
U.S. adults	66	14	16	4
Democrats	68	14	15	3
Republicans	60	14	19	6
Independents	65	15	14	6
18-34	42	22	28	8
35-44	67	15	15	4
45-54	76	10	10	4
55-64	77	11	10	2
65+	75	13	11	2
*Among those who think the federal government should send an additional EIP to all qualified adults
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON-GALLUP ECONOMICS OF RECOVERY STUDY, AUG. 3-11, 2020

Unemployed Workers' Desire to Work Not Influenced by Amount of Stimulus

Another component of the CARES Act was Pandemic Additional Compensation, an extra $600 in federal funds paid each week to Americans receiving state unemployment benefits. This supplemental unemployment benefit expired at the end of July.

These additional unemployment payments have been criticized by some for creating a disincentive for workers to return to the job they held before the pandemic. Indeed, in talks about the next stimulus package, some lawmakers have suggested reducing or even eliminating this additional benefit. However, the vast majority of respondents indicated a desire to return to work, and their willingness to do so varied little when they were presented with different hypothetical levels of additional federal unemployment benefits.

To study the impact of additional benefits on likelihood of returning to work, Gallup asked people receiving unemployment insurance (UI) about how likely they are to return to their previous job if the government were to offer an additional weekly UI benefit. Gallup randomized the amount of the additional benefit displayed for each respondent -- as either $150, $300 or $450.

Impact of Additional Weekly Unemployment Benefits on Likelihood of Returning to Work

How likely are you to return to your previous job if the federal government extends an additional weekly UI benefit of [$450 / $300 / $150]?*

	Very likely	Somewhat likely	Somewhat unlikely	Very unlikely
	%	%	%	%
Respondents shown $450	52	34	7	7
Respondents shown $300	48	34	7	11
Respondents shown $150	54	30	4	13
*Among those receiving unemployment insurance (UI)
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON-GALLUP ECONOMICS OF RECOVERY STUDY, AUG. 3-11, 2020

Those asked about receiving the highest weekly benefit ($450) were just as likely to say they are very likely to return to their previous job (52%) as those asked about receiving a smaller additional weekly benefit of $150 (54%). The survey results may not indicate how people might actually behave under the different circumstances, but to the extent they do predict behavior, they suggest relatively few workers would choose to stay home due to greater federal assistance rather than head back to work.

Bottom Line

With the fate of additional coronavirus assistance still in doubt as Congress returns from its August recess, both Democratic and Republican leaders have signaled support for an additional EIP to qualifying adults. This reflects a broad consensus among the American public, with a majority of both Democrats and Republicans supporting another round of stimulus payments.

There is greater debate among political leaders over additional unemployment benefits. Some leaders support reinstating additional weekly UI benefits to offset the financial burden of prolonged unemployment and provide assistance to those workers who are unable to return to their job for health reasons. Others have suggested that these additional payments may disincentivize people from returning to work since they are earning more by staying at home. Results from the Franklin Templeton-Gallup Economics of Recovery Study, however, add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that more generous benefits do not discourage people from returning to work.

(Gallup USA)

September 01, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/318452/broad-bipartisan-support-additional-stimulus.aspx

654-43-17/Poll

U.S. Workers' Worries Spike Amid COVID's Economic Impact

Twenty-seven percent of U.S. workers now fear their hours will be cut back, up from 15% in 2019, while 28% fear their wages will be reduced, up from 16% last year. Workers' worries their benefits will be reduced are also up, though less so than other worries, with 30% worried this will occur, up from 23% in 2019. Nearly half of U.S. workers, 46%, are worried about one or more of the four setbacks at their jobs.

U.S. Workers' Worries About Negative Events Related to Their Jobs

Next, please indicate whether you are worried or not worried about each of the following happening to you, personally, in the near future. How about... - % Worried*

	2019	2020	Change
	%	%	pct. pts.
That you will be laid off	15	27	12
That your hours at work will be cut back	15	27	12
That your wages will be reduced	16	28	12
That your benefits will be reduced	23	30	7
Gallup
* AMONG AMERICANS EMPLOYED FULL OR PART TIME.

These data come from Gallup's annual Work and Education survey, conducted July 30-Aug. 12. The survey was conducted following a drop in the U.S. employment rate in July, to 10.2% While this is still more than twice as high as the 3.7% unemployment rate for July 2019, it is down from the 14.7% rate recorded in April of this year, as the initial lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19 threw the U.S. economy into a tailspin.

Worker Worries at Highest Points in Years

Not surprisingly, given the disruption to the economy, U.S. workers' worries about negative events at their jobs are the highest they have been in years. The 27% of American workers who are worried about being laid off from their current jobs is the highest level since the 29% seen in August 2013, at the tail end of the Great Recession and ensuing periods of high unemployment.

JobWorries

Line graph. American workers fears of being laid off from their jobs. 27% of American workers now fear being laid off up from 15% in 2019.

Worries about wages being cut have followed a similar pattern, with the current 28% of workers worried about this being the highest level since 31% recorded in August 2013. Worker concern about having their hours cut is at its highest point since 2011, when 30% were worried.

Only workers' worries of having their benefits cuts have displayed a different pattern, with worry about this registering 30% or above for most of Gallup's trend since 1997. The only year workers' worry about benefit cuts was significantly below 30% was 2019 (23%).

Non-White Workers Substantially More Worried Than White Workers

Worry about the four potential setbacks is up among all subgroups. However, White workers remain less worried about these setbacks than non-White workers. The largest gap, 23 percentage points, is on worry that wages will be reduced, 20% for White workers, vs. 43% for non-White workers. This is followed closely by a 21-point gap on worry they will be laid off -- 20% for White workers, 41% for non-White workers. Additionally, there is a 19-point gap in worry about benefits being cut and a 14-point gap on worry about having work hours cut back.

American Workers' Worries ABout Negative Events at Their Jobs, by Key Demographic Group

Next, please indicate whether you are worried or not worried about each of the following happening to you, personally, in the near future. How about... - % Worried*

	That you will be laid off	That your hours at work will be cut back	That your wages will be reduced	That your benefits will be reduced
	%	%	%	%
All U.S. Workers	27	27	28	30
Male	27	26	28	32
Female	27	29	29	27
White workers	20	23	20	23
Non-white workers	41	37	43	42
18-34	20	26	24	23
35-54	34	30	33	33
55+	24	25	24	31
College graduate	22	20	30	32
College nongraduate	30	32	27	28
*Among Americans employed full or part time.
GALLUP

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, non-White workers were substantially more likely to worry about being laid off, and having their hours or wages cut, than White workers. The likelihood of worry about being laid off has increased at roughly similar levels for both non-White and White workers since the pandemic began, 13 points vs. 10 points. However, compared with 2019, White workers are now 17 points more likely to be worried about having their hours cut, while non-White workers are seven points more likely. Additionally, White workers are now 14 points more likely to be worried about having their wages reduced than they were in 2019, compared with a 9-point increase in worry about among non-White workers.

American Workers' Worries They Will Have Their Benefits Cut at Work

Next, please indicate whether you are worried or not worried about each of the following happening to you, personally, in the near future. How about..-% Worried*

	That your benefits will be reduced
	%	%
	2019	2020
All U.S. Workers	23	30
Male	23	32
Female	23	27
White	14	23
Non-white	39	42
College Grad	19	32
Non-College grad	25	28
*Among Americans employed full or part time.
GALLUP

Finally, when it comes to fear of having benefits cut, White workers are nine points more likely to worry about this now than in 2019, compared with a three-point increase among non-white workers. There have been substantial gaps in worry between White workers and non-White workers for all four work setbacks for most of Gallup's trend, with non-White workers typically more worried than their White counterparts.

Bottom Line

The COVID-19 epidemic and associated public health measures to control the spread of the disease has had a devastating impact on the U.S. economy. The resulting spike in American workers' worries about negative events at their work is not surprising, but the magnitude of the change is partly because worker worries were at the low end of Gallup's trend in 2019.

Worry about being laid off and having hours, wages or benefits cut was substantially more likely among non-White workers than White workers even prior to the pandemic. And, while the likelihood of worry on several issues has had risen by higher amounts among White workers, non-White workers remain the group substantially more likely to be worried.

(Gallup USA)

September 01, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/312503/workers-worries-spike-amid-covid-economic-impact.aspx

654-43-18/Poll

50% in U.S. Fear Bankruptcy Due to Major Health Event

Fear of Health Event Leading to Bankruptcy

How concerned are you that a major health event in your household could lead to bankruptcy? Extremely concerned, concerned, not very concerned or not at all concerned?

	January-February 2019	July 2020	Change
	% Extremely concerned/ Concerned	% Extremely concerned/ Concerned	pct. pts.
U.S. total	45	50	+5*
Gender
Women	47	51	+4
Men	42	49	+7*
Race
White adults	41	43	+2
Non-White adults	52	64	+12*
Age
18-29	43	55	+12*
30-49	46	55	+9*
50-64	52	48	-4
65+	38	40	+2
* Statistically significant change (p<.05), design effect included
GALLUP-WEST HEALTH U.S. HEALTHCARE STUDY, JULY 2020

One-Fifth of Non-White Adults Carry Long-Term Medical Debt

Percentage of U.S. Adults Unable to Repay Current Medical Debt Within Next 12 Months

Do you or someone in your household currently have medical debt that you will be unable to repay in the next 12 months?

	Yes, have medical debt
	%
U.S. total	15
Race
White adults	12
Non-White adults	20
Annual household income
Less than $40,000	28
$40,000-<$100,000	12
$100,000+	6
Political identity
Independent	18
Democrat	16
Republican	8
GALLUP-WEST HEALTH U.S. HEALTHCARE STUDY, JULY 2020

One-Quarter of U.S. Adults Must Borrow Money for $500 Medical Bill

The need to borrow money to pay a $500 medical bill is particularly common among non-White adults (43%) and those living in households earning less than $40,000 per year (46%).

Sources of Payment for $500 Medical Bill

If you had a $500 medical bill that you needed to pay today, from where would the money most likely come?

	U.S. Total	White adults	Non-White adults	$100,000+	$40,000- <$100,000	Less than $40,000
	%	%	%	%	%	%
Funds from a checking or savings account that were not dedicated to healthcare-related expenses	54	62	40	61	63	39
A medical flexible spending account or health savings account	14	17	11	30	11	8
A credit card or a loan from a financial institution	12	9	17	7	13	15
A loan from a family member or friend	14	8	26	1	9	31
Credit card or any loan type	26	17	43	8	22	46
GALLUP-WEST HEALTH U.S. HEALTHCARE STUDY, JULY 2020

Drug Pricing Continues to Influence Candidate Choice for 35% of Adults

Importance of Lowering Drug Costs to Candidate Support in 2020 (% Single Most Important Issue or Among the Most Important Issues)

	September 2019	February 2020	July 2020	Change since 2019
	%	%	%	pct. pts.
U.S. total	35	30	35	0
Gender
Women	41	33	36	-5
Men	29	28	33	+4
Race
White adults	29	23	29	0
Non-White adults	48	45	48	0
Annual household income
Less than $40,000	52	45	52	0
$40,000-<$100,000	31	31	29	-2
$100,000+	19	14	22	+3
GALLUP-WEST HEALTH U.S. HEALTHCARE STUDY, JULY 2020

Implications

(Gallup USA)

September 01, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/317948/fear-bankruptcy-due-major-health-event.aspx

654-43-19/Poll

U.S. Perceptions of White-Black Relations Sink to New Low

Line graph. Trend from 2001 to 2020 in Americans ratings of relations between White and Black adults in the U.S. The percentage rating relations good was 63% in 2001. It peaked at 72% in 2004 and remained high through 2013, before falling to 47% in 2015. Since then, the percentage rating relations good has been under 50%, including 44% in the latest reading, from 2020.

Most Americans were upbeat about White-Black relations from 2001 through 2013, with the percentage calling them good to any degree ranging from 63% to 72%. The sharp decline in positive perceptions to 47% in 2015 followed numerous high-profile incidents in the prior year of unarmed Black citizens being killed by White police officers.

After improving slightly in 2016 and 2018, ratings of race relations have fallen to a new low in a Gallup telephone poll conducted June 8-July 24, 2020. The nationally representative survey of 1,226 U.S. adults includes an oversample of Black Americans weighted to their correct proportion of the population.

The latest poll was taken after the start of widespread protests on racial justice sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May, but before the recent shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and political conflict in Portland, Oregon, that have led to deaths among protestors and counterprotestors.

Ratings at Low Ebb Among Both Racial Groups

Through most of Gallup's trend, White Americans have been more likely than Black Americans to rate White-Black relations positively. But until 2015, large majorities of both groups thought relations were generally good; since then, positive ratings from White and Black Americans have been more subdued.

Positive ratings of White-Black relations have deteriorated slightly more in the past 18 months among White Americans (down eight percentage points to 46%) than among Black Americans (down four points to 36%). The figure among White Americans roughly matches the prior low of 45% recorded in 2015, while Black Americans' perceptions are the lowest yet.

Line graph. Trend from 2001 to 2020 in White and Black Americans ratings of White-Black relations. Since July 2013, the percentage rating relations very or somewhat good has fallen from 66% to 36% among Black Americans and from 72% to 46% among White Americans.

Other Group Relations Rated More Positively

The survey also asked Americans to rate relations between other racial and ethnic groups. Of the five different pairings explored, White-Black relations are viewed as the most troubled this year.

The 44% of Americans perceiving relations between White and Black Americans to be very or somewhat good contrasts with 78% for White-Asian relations, 68% for Black-Asian relations, 66% for Black-Hispanic relations, and 62% for White-Hispanic relations.

White-Black relations were not the only pairing to show a decline in 2020 compared with the average from 2015 to 2018. Similar drops are seen in positive ratings for White-Asian relations (down seven points) and White-Hispanic relations (down four points). At the same time, there have been no meaningful changes in ratings of Black-Asian or Black-Hispanic relations.

Americans' Perceptions That Relations Between Each Racial/Ethnic Pair Are Very or Somewhat Good

	2001-2013	2015-2018	2020
	%	%	%
Whites and Asians	81	85	78
Blacks and Asians^	--	66	68
Blacks and Hispanics	54	63	66
Whites and Hispanics	68	66	62
Whites and Blacks	68	50	44
^ Relations between Blacks and Asians not rated before 2015
GALLUP

Although White-Black relations are rated significantly worse now than other intergroup pairings, this has not always been the case. On average, between 2001 and 2013, White-Black relations were rated similarly to White-Hispanic relations and better than Black-Hispanic relations. That changed in 2015 as nationwide protests brought greater attention to racial disparities in the use of lethal force by police.

Throughout Gallup's measurement of racial/ethnic group relations since 2001, ratings of relations between White and Asian Americans have been rated best, with more than three-quarters of the public consistently calling them good.

Americans Remain Optimistic That White-Black Relations Will Improve

The public's brighter outlook for relations between Black and White Americans has shown little change since it was last measured. The majority continues to be optimistic that a solution will eventually be worked out, with 59% saying so this year, compared with 57% in late 2018.

Optimism about the future of relations between the two racial groups was below 50% in the mid- to late 1990s, spanning the Rodney King riots and O.J. Simpson case. Since then, at least half have been optimistic about a solution being worked out, including a brief rise to 67% in November 2008, the day after Barack Obama became the first Black American to be elected president.

Line graph. Trend from 1963 to 2020 in percentage of Americans who think a solution to relations between Black and White Americans in the United States will eventually be worked out. This was 55% in 1963 but has since varied from low points of 29% and 41% in the 1990s to a high of 67% in 2008 just after Barack Obama was elected. More typically it has been near 55%, and today it is 59%.

The trend in White Americans' outlook for White-Black relations has also been fairly stable. Sixty percent today are optimistic a solution will be worked out vs. 59% in 2018.

At the same time, Black Americans' optimism is up 10 points to 54%, edging out the 50% positive after Obama clinched the Democratic nomination in June 2008. Black Americans' optimism may have been even higher after the November election that year, but Gallup's post-election survey did not have a sufficient number of Black respondents to report their views.

Longer-term, Black Americans' optimism was significantly higher (70%) in 1963, which is widely considered the "defining year" of the Civil Rights Movement.

Line graph. Trend from 1964 to 2020 in White and Black Americans views on the outlook for race relations. In 1963, Black Americans were much more optimistic than White Americans that a solution to racial problems would eventually be worked out. The two groups had similar views in the 1990s, when both were fairly pessimistic. Since then, White Americans have been more optimistic than Black Americans, including by a six-percentage-point margin today of 60% to 54%.

Bottom Line

There is no right or perfect way to say objectively whether relations between large subgroups of the American population are healthy or frayed. But polls can measure different aspects of such relations, including the extent to which racial groups interact in various settings and how each group feels about those experiences.

When it comes to White-Black relations, one such indicator involves Black Americans' reports of feeling they have been unfairly treated in each of several public situations -- in stores, at work, in dealings with the police, and so on. Gallup's recent finding that nearly half of Black Americans felt unfairly treated in at least one setting in the past month suggests relations are far from perfect.

Another indicator of the health of race relations is how Americans themselves assess those relations when asked directly. On that basis, Gallup finds that even before the situation in Kenosha erupted, White-Black relations were at a two-decade low, with Black Americans even less positive than White Americans. This contrasts with Americans' more positive reviews of the state of relations between other racial/ethnic groups.

One encouraging sign in all of this is that for more than a decade, majorities of Black and White Americans have remained generally optimistic that the future holds the promise of a solution to today's problems.

(Gallup USA)

September 02, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/318851/perceptions-white-black-relations-sink-new-low.aspx

654-43-20/Poll

At 65%, Approval of Labor Unions in U.S. Remains High

Line graph. Americans' approval of labor unions since 1936. Approval is currently 65%.

Gallup's initial reading of the public's support for labor unions was 72% in 1936, at the advent of the modern U.S. organized labor movement, and approval peaked at 75% in 1953 and 1957. The lowest ratings to date have been recorded during particularly weak economic times. This includes the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s -- when support fell below 60% for the first time -- and 2009 through 2012, when it hovered around 50%.

While the latest reading, from a July 30-Aug. 12 poll, comes at a time of severe economic upheaval, this has so far not had a negative impact on the public's view of unions, as it is little changed from last year's reading.

Americans' support for unions is politically polarized, as it has been since 2001, when Gallup began tracking the measure annually. Democrats' current 83% approval of labor unions is the highest on record since then. At the same time, 45% of Republicans and 64% of independents approve of unions.

In 2009, 66% of Democrats, 29% of Republicans and 44% of independents viewed labor unions favorably. Since the Great Recession, union approval has recovered among all three major party groups.

Line graph. Approval of labor unions since 2001 among partisans. Approval is currently 83% among Democrats, 64% among independents and 45% among Republicans.

Membership in Labor Unions Remains Steady

Americans' reported membership in a labor union remains similar to recent years, with 10% saying they are a union member. Overall, 16% say there is a union member in their household.

Americans' Labor Union Membership

Are you, or is anyone in your household, a member of a labor union?

Yes, respondent in labor union	7
Yes, other household member in labor union	6
Both respondent and other household member in labor union	3
Not a member of labor union	83
Net: Union household	16
GALLUP, JULY 30-AUG. 12, 2020

Implications

Americans' approval of labor unions has been consistently high for several years and has more than recovered from low points around the Great Recession. Even as the U.S. grapples with the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, which includes record-high unemployment, support for unions remains strong.

Previous Gallup data have found that while Americans largely think unions help their own workers, they are less inclined to say they are helpful to the U.S. economy overall. As such, support for unions has been weaker during challenging economic times.

Americans' continued high approval of unions may result from a current focus on issues other than the economy. Generally, when economic indicators have been negative, the economy has been viewed as the most important problem facing the nation, but that is not the case now. The public is divided in its assessments of the biggest U.S. problem, with roughly one in five each citing the coronavirus, the economy, race relations and leadership. Yet, if the economy continues to struggle and it eclipses other issues in importance, Americans' views of unions could very well worsen.

(Gallup USA)

September 03, 2020

Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/318980/approval-labor-unions-remains-high.aspx

AUSTRALIA

654-43-21/Poll

Melbourne residents now evenly divided on visiting family

A second Roy Morgan Snap SMS survey on six of Victoria’s Stage 4 restrictions shows more Victorians than a week ago favour relaxing restrictions and Melbourne people are now evenly divided 50:50 on whether Melburnians should be able to visit the homes of immediate family members.

Of all Victorians, 47% (up 4% on a week ago) say Melburnians should be able to visit the homes of immediate family members rising to 50% of residents of Melbourne.

An increasing majority of 57% (up 5%) of older Victorians aged 65+, say Melburnians should be able to visit the homes of their immediate family. This is despite being the age group at the greatest risk during the pandemic.

Support for other restrictions has reduced on a week ago but still attract majority support across the board.

An overwhelming majority of Victorians, 87% (down 2%), again say mask wearing should be compulsory in Victoria and over two-thirds 68% (down 6%) say schools and day care centres in Melbourne should not be re-opened to everyone.

Now just over three-fifths of Victorians 61% (down 14%) say Melbourne’s restaurants/hotels/ clubs/cafes should not be able to provide table service with proper social distancing – the biggest change in views compared to a week ago.

In addition, 61% (down 11%) say the 8pm-5am curfew in Melbourne should not be ended and 60% (down 11%) say Melburnians’ should not be able to travel more than 5km from their homes (71%).

People surveyed in Victoria were each asked three of the following six questions to determine their attitudes towards the current Victorian Government Stage 4 directives with changes compared to a week ago:

Question 1:

Should Melbourne restaurants/hotels/clubs/cafes now be allowed to provide table service with proper social distancing? By Party Vote (Federal)

(Roy Morgan)

Date: September 02 2020

Source: https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8511-roy-morgan-survey-on-stage-4-restrictions-in-victoria-september-2-2020-202009020609

MULTICOUNTRY STUDIES

654-43-22/Poll

Three in four adults globally say they’d get a vaccine for COVID -19

Most do not expect any will be available before the end of year; fear of side effects is top reason for not wanting to take the vaccine.

In a new Ipsos survey of nearly 20,000 adults from 27 countries on behalf of the World Economic Forum, 74% say they would get a vaccine for COVID-19 if it were available. However, 59% do not expect this will be an option before the end of this year. The reason most commonly given by those who would not get a vaccine is worry about side effects (56%) followed by doubt about its effectiveness (29%).

Intentions to get vaccinated against COVID-19

Globally, 74% of all adults surveyed agree that, “if a vaccine for COVID-19 were available, I would get it”. However, only 37% strongly agree while 37% somewhat agree. Overall, 26% disagree (15% somewhat disagree and 12% strongly disagree).

In most countries, those who agree outnumber those who disagree by a significant margin (more than 50 percentage points in 12 out of 27 countries).

The countries where Covid-19 vaccination intent is highest are: China (97%), Brazil (88%), Australia (88%), and India (87%)
Those where it is lowest are: Russia (54%), Poland (56%), Hungary (56%), and France (59%).

Expectation that a COVID-19 vaccine will be available this year

Across all 27 countries, 59% disagree that “a vaccine for COVID-19 will be available to me before the end of 2020” (23% strongly and 36% somewhat) while the other 41% agree (9% strongly and 31% somewhat).

Again, China stands out for its optimism, with 87% of those surveyed expecting a vaccine will be ready this year. Agreement is also high in Saudi Arabia (75%) and India (74%).
By contrast, skepticism prevails in Germany, Belgium, Japan, and Poland where fewer than one in four adults anticipate that a vaccine will be available at some point in the next four months.

Reasons for not taking a vaccine

The nearly 5,000 adults surveyed who do not intend to take a vaccine for COVID-19 were asked why they would not do so. In every one of the 27 countries, the #1 reason is worry about the side effects, cited by 56% globally (from 70% in Spain and 68% in Sweden to 41% in Argentina and 40% in Saudi Arabia).

The second-most common reason for not wanting to take a COVID-19 vaccine is doubt about its effectiveness, cited by 29% globally (from as many as 44% in Russia and Poland to just 12% in China and 9% in Mexico).

The third most common reason is the perception of not being enough at risk from COVID-19, cited by 19% globally. Among those who are reluctant to be vaccinated, this view is most prevalent in India (37%), Malaysia (36%) and Sweden (35%), while it is least so in Italy (7%) and Brazil (10%).

General opposition to vaccines is cited by 17% of those who would not get a COVID-19 vaccine globally, but as many as 30% in Russia and Italy.

(Ipsos)

September 01, 2020

Source: https://www.ipsos.com/en/three-four-adults-globally-say-theyd-get-vaccine-covid-19

654-43-23/Poll

Most Approve of National Response to COVID-19 in 14 Advanced Economies

But the pandemic has had a divisive effect on a sense of national unity in many of the countries surveyed: A median of 46% feel more national unity now than before the coronavirus outbreak, while 48% think divisions have grown. This includes 77% of Americans who say they are further divided than prior to the pandemic, while just 18% believe the country to be more united.

In addition, a median of 58% say that their lives have changed a great deal or fair amount due to COVID-19. Women in particular have felt the effects of the virus most acutely.

And in a quarantine period marked with critiques of actors ranging from China to the United States to the World Health Organization, a median of 59% believe more international cooperation would have reduced the number of coronavirus cases facing their country. Young people in many nations are especially likely to hold this viewpoint.

These are among the findings of a new Pew Research Center survey, conducted June 10 to Aug. 3, 2020, among 14,276 adults in 14 countries: the United States, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and South Korea. The survey also finds that public attitudes toward their own country’s dealing with the coronavirus epidemic and national unity are linked to feelings of trust in others and economic confidence in their nation.

Most people think their own country has done well handling pandemic response

Across the 14 countries surveyed, a median of 73% say that their own country has done a good job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. Just 27% believe their country has handled it poorly. However, there is some variation by country on this assessment.

About seven-in-ten or more give their nation’s coronavirus response a positive review in Denmark, Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Italy and Sweden. And more than half in Belgium, France, Japan and Spain share this sentiment.

In two countries – the United Kingdom and the United States – people are divided in their beliefs when it comes to rating their government’s performance responding to the coronavirus. These two nations also have high levels of political polarization on views of the government’s handling of this crisis. In the U.S., 76% of Republicans and independents who lean to the Republican Party say the government has done a good job, while just a quarter of Democrats and Democratic leaners agree, a 51 percentage point difference. A majority of right-leaning Britons (55%) give a positive rating to their country’s handling of the pandemic, led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative government, but just 26% on the left hold the same opinion.

People in Spain, which is currently led by the left-leaning Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, are also split ideologically on assessing their government’s response to COVID-19, but in the opposite direction: 73% on the left are pleased with how their country has managed the outbreak while 40% on right are not, a 33-point difference. Those on the left are also more positive on their country’s response to the outbreak than those on the right by double digits in Italy (18 points more positive), Sweden (17 points) and South Korea (15 points).

Economies around the world have contracted due to the unprecedented nature of the coronavirus outbreak, and the U.S. Congressional Research Service reports that the global economy could grow between 3% and 6% less in 2020 compared with previous projections. These economic effects also relate to how people assess their own nation’s handling of the pandemic. Across all 14 nations included in the survey, those who think their current national economic situation is good are also more likely than those who believe the economy is bad to say their country has done a good job of dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

This divergence is especially pronounced in the United States. Among those with a more optimistic view of the economy, 78% report that they approve of the way the U.S. government has dealt with the virus. But those who think the American economy is currently in poor shape are less than half as likely to give the government response a positive rating.

Coronavirus has changed many lives throughout 14 nations

Each of the countries in the survey have suffered the effects of the coronavirus. The number of deaths vary in the 14 countries from about 100 to more than 100,000 when the survey was fielded, and some nations completely locked down while others like Sweden, Japan and the U.S. used different measures to attempt to stave off the virus. Across the 14 countries surveyed, a median of 58% say the pandemic has changed their life either a great deal or fair amount, while 42% report not too much change or none at all.

About two-thirds or more in South Korea, Sweden, the U.S., the UK, Japan and Canada say their lives have changed at least a fair amount due to the pandemic. (In all of these countries except the UK, the government never imposed a national-level lockdown.) And at least three-in-ten in South Korea, the U.S., Sweden and the UK say their lives have changed a great deal since the outbreak began. Majorities of people in Spain and Italy – two early hotspots – have also noted changes in their lives because of the outbreak.

In six countries, about half or more say that their lives have not changed much or at all since the onset of the virus, including 54% of the Dutch, 53% of Australians, 53% of the French and 51% of Belgians. In each of these six nations except Australia, governments did put in place national-level lockdowns to counter the spread of COVID-19.

In 12 of the 14 countries surveyed, women are more likely than men to say their lives have changed due to the coronavirus. In nine of those countries, the gender gap reaches double digits – including in Sweden, the U.S. and France, where women were more likely to say this by 15 points each.

The changes that women have experienced during the pandemic could take many forms, and data underscores that women’s burdens have increased both at work and at home. Women around the world typically do more unpaid work at home than their male counterparts, such as child care and housework, and this may be amplified by closure of schools and day care centers to combat the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a higher share of women than men in each of the surveyed countries participate in part-time employment, which is more likely to have been interrupted by the pandemic. And a report from Citi asserts that coronavirus-related job losses have disproportionately affected women globally.

(Previous Center research from March also showed American women were more likely than their male counterparts to say their personal life had changed in a major way due to the virus.)

Little consensus on whether the pandemic has brought people together

The degree to which civic division has changed since the coronavirus emerged is itself a divisive question. When asked if their country is now more united or more divided than before the coronavirus outbreak, people in many countries are split, with a 14-country median of 46% saying their country is more united and 48% saying their country is more divided. (Since the onset of the coronavirus, countries in the survey have also experienced the effects of a global recession and protests related to the death of George Floyd, a Black American killed by a White police officer in May, among other events.)

In the U.S., where a patchwork of coronavirus-related restrictions reflects broad disagreement over the best path to economic recovery while mitigating the spread of the virus, roughly three-quarters say that the U.S. is more divided than before the coronavirus outbreak. Only about two-in-ten Americans say that the country has become more united. Though Americans of all ideological tilts say the country has become more divided, Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (81%) are more likely than Republicans and Republican leaners (74%) to say division has increased.

In contrast, nearly three-quarters in Denmark say there is more unity now than before the coronavirus outbreak. More than half in Canada, Sweden, South Korea and Australia also say their countries have become more united since the coronavirus outbreak.

In every country surveyed, those who think their country has done a bad job of dealing with the coronavirus outbreak are more likely to say that their country is now more divided. This is particularly true in South Korea, where 74% of those who believe South Korea has done a bad job of dealing with the coronavirus say their country is now more divided, compared with just 29% among those who say their country has done a good job of dealing with the pandemic, a 45-point difference.

In Europe, those who have favorable opinions of right-wing populist parties are more likely than those with unfavorable views to say division has grown since the coronavirus outbreak began. This is especially true in Germany, where thousands have gathered to protest coronavirus restrictions in recent weeks, including some protestors affiliated with the far right. Fully 75% of Germans with a favorable opinion of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party say Germany is now more divided than before the coronavirus outbreak, compared with 51% of those with an unfavorable view of AfD.

Other countries that have seen similar protests against prolonged lockdowns, including the Netherlands and Spain, also show gaps between those with favorable and unfavorable views of right-wing populist parties in their country.

Feelings of national disunity are tied to feelings of distrust as well. In many countries, those who say that, in general, most people cannot be trusted are more likely to say their country is now more divided than those who say most people can be trusted. In 11 of 14 countries surveyed, this gap exceeds 10 percentage points.

France is a particularly stark example. A majority (63%) of those who say most people cannot be trusted also say the country is more divided now than before the coronavirus outbreak; fewer than four-in-ten (37%) of those who think most people can be trusted see more division.

Publics generally agree that more international cooperation would have potentially reduced virus-related fatalities

As confirmed cases of the coronavirus top 20 million globally, many in the countries surveyed say that count could have been minimized through stronger international cooperation. A 14-country median of 59% say that if their country had cooperated more with other countries, the number of coronavirus cases would have been lower in their country. In comparison, a median of 36% say such cooperation would have been futile in reducing cases.

Missed opportunities for cooperation to reduce coronavirus cases are felt especially strongly in Europe, where failure to coordinate the initial response led to sudden and severe outbreaks in Northern Italy and Spain. More than half in seven of the nine European countries surveyed say that more cooperation would have reduced coronavirus cases.

Notably, 78% of Danes think the number of coronavirus cases would not have been reduced by international cooperation. A majority in Germany also say that cooperation would not have reduced case numbers.

Americans on the whole say that more cooperation could have limited the number of coronavirus cases. A majority (58%) of U.S. adults say that if the U.S. had cooperated with more countries, the number of American coronavirus cases would have been lower.

Much as younger people globally tend to have more favorable opinions of the UN and younger Americans give higher approval ratings to the WHO for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak, those ages 18 to 29 are more likely than those 50 and older to say that more cooperation would have reduced the number of coronavirus cases in their country.

In Australia, for example, the difference between younger and older respondents on the question of international cooperation on the pandemic exceeds 30 percentage points. While 61% of Australians ages 18 to 29 say more cooperation would have helped reduce the number of coronavirus cases, only about a quarter of Australians 50 and older say the same.

In most countries, those who say cooperation would have lowered the number of coronavirus cases are also more likely to say that their own country has done a bad job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. For example, 64% of Britons who say cooperation would have reduced the number of coronavirus cases also think the UK government has done a bad job of dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

Whether people think more cooperation could have helped stop the spread of the coronavirus relates with whether they align with the ruling party’s ideology.

In the U.S. and the UK, where right-leaning parties currently hold national executive power, those on the left are more likely to say that more cooperation would have reduced the number of coronavirus cases. Those on the right are more skeptical of the effectiveness of international cooperation.

On the other hand, the left-wing Spanish Socialist Worker’s Party currently holds power in Spain and Spaniards on the ideological right are more likely than those on the left to say their government could have limited coronavirus cases by cooperating more with other countries. And in South Korea and Sweden, where the governments are technically led by left-leaning coalitions, a similar pattern follows.

(PEW)

September 27, 2020

Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/08/27/most-approve-of-national-response-to-covid-19-in-14-advanced-economies/