81% Of Americans Say Life Won't Return To Normal Anytime Soon, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 7 In 10 Say Facebook And Twitter Do More Harm Than Good
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More than a year and a half since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, an overwhelming majority of Americans (81 percent) do not expect life to return to normal in the U.S. anytime soon, as 26 percent say life will never return to normal, 32 percent expect it will take more than 1 year for life to return to normal, 23 percent say it will take about a year, 10 percent expect life to return to normal in about 6 months, and 4 percent say a couple of months, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of adults released today.
As for the mood of the country regarding the situation with COVID-19 in the U.S. right now, Americans were given a number of words and asked whether or not those words described how they are feeling.
Most Americans say they are disappointed (62 percent), followed by hopeful (50 percent), emotionally exhausted (46 percent), worried (43 percent), angry (41 percent), and indifferent (24 percent).
In thinking about their personal lives, more than 4 in 10 Americans (43 percent) say issues involving COVID-19, such as vaccinations or safety protocols, have caused divisions with family or friends, while 56 percent say they have not.
"As COVID-19 was taking the lives of thousands, in American homes, measures to try to control the pandemic were exacting a toll on the personal relationships of more than 4 in 10 Americans," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
COVID-19 AND JOBS
Asked whether the COVID-19 pandemic made you or people you know more likely to look for a new job, roughly 4 in 10 Americans (41 percent) say it did, and 52 percent say it did not.
One group standing out among all categories is younger Americans. Among those 18 to 34 years of age, a majority (63 - 34 percent) say the pandemic did make them or people they know more likely to look for a new job.
THE ECONOMY
More than half of Americans (55 percent) think the nation's economy is getting worse, while 15 percent think it's getting better, and 28 percent think it's staying the same.
Less than one-quarter of Americans (24 percent) rate the economy as excellent (1 percent) or good (23 percent), while 74 percent rate the economy as not so good (37 percent) or poor (37 percent).
This is a decline from just two weeks ago when 29 percent of Americans rated the economy as excellent or good and 69 percent rated it as not so good or poor.
As for next year, half of Americans (50 percent) think the nation's economy will be worse, while 42 percent expect it will be better.
Four in ten Americans (40 percent) say they are worse off financially than they were a year ago, while 36 percent say they are better off, and 21 percent say they are the same.
Roughly two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) are optimistic about their financial future, while 29 percent are pessimistic. When it comes to differences along party lines: Democrats are the most optimistic at 79 - 18 percent, followed by independents at 63 - 32 percent and Republicans at 51 - 43 percent.
TEACHERS
With schools in the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic, most Americans agree on this: teachers in the United States are underappreciated. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans (77 percent) think teachers in the United States are not appreciated enough, while 18 percent say teachers are appreciated enough.
"Though not wearing scrubs and working in the ER, one could make a valid argument that teachers have been and remain on the front lines of the COVID pandemic. Americans make it very clear they appreciate their dedication," added Malloy.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Americans are split on government regulation of social media companies. Forty-seven percent of Americans think the government needs to be involved in regulating companies like Facebook and Twitter, while 45 percent think that the government does not need to be involved in regulating these companies.
Seven out of ten Americans (70 percent) say social media companies like Facebook and Twitter do more harm than good, while 20 percent say the companies do more good than harm.
When specifically asked to rate Facebook's handling of misinformation on its social media platform, a majority (52 percent) say Facebook is doing a poor job, 27 percent say it is doing a not so good job, 12 percent say Facebook is doing a good job, and 1 percent say the company is doing an excellent job of handling misinformation.
"A sharp slap in the face for Facebook and its social media cohorts. 'You are not helping... you are hurting people,' say Americans. But should the government police the offenders? No consensus on that," added Malloy.
1,342 U.S. adults nationwide were surveyed from October 15th - 18th with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.
Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll
Email poll@qu.edu, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.
Poll Questions
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Question 11. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Excellent 1% - 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% Good 23 5 45 19 23 24 33 15 Not so good 37 38 40 36 35 39 32 38 Poor 37 57 12 43 38 36 31 45 DK/NA 2 - 2 1 2 1 2 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Excellent 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 1% - 1% Good 19 25 23 27 20 21 21 32 29 Not so good 42 41 29 36 34 38 36 40 33 Poor 35 32 46 34 42 39 40 24 35 DK/NA 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 -
Question 12. Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Better 15% 2% 32% 11% 13% 16% 22% 9% Worse 55 88 19 61 57 53 50 66 The same 28 9 48 26 27 29 28 23 DK/NA 2 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Better 12% 17% 13% 20% 11% 15% 13% 24% 14% Worse 54 50 61 52 63 58 60 28 57 The same 32 30 24 27 24 26 25 47 28 DK/NA 2 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 -
Question 13. Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Better off 36% 16% 57% 34% 36% 37% 41% 27% Worse off 40 64 15 45 40 39 35 52 SAME(VOL) 21 17 25 19 21 21 24 20 DK/NA 3 3 2 2 2 3 1 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Better off 49% 34% 31% 30% 29% 34% 31% 51% 43% Worse off 29 39 49 44 49 43 46 23 34 SAME(VOL) 19 23 19 26 21 22 22 23 20 DK/NA 4 5 1 1 2 - 1 4 3 -
Question 14. In general, would you say that you are optimistic or pessimistic about your financial future?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Optimistic 65% 51% 79% 63% 65% 66% 68% 58% Pessimistic 29 43 18 32 29 29 28 37 DK/NA 6 6 3 5 7 5 3 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Optimistic 70% 76% 56% 59% 61% 62% 62% 82% 71% Pessimistic 23 21 39 35 35 33 34 14 24 DK/NA 7 3 5 6 4 5 4 4 5 -
Question 15. Do you think that the nation's economy will be better or worse next year?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Better 42% 9% 76% 39% 38% 45% 48% 30% Worse 50 85 19 52 54 46 45 60 SAME(VOL) 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 DK/NA 7 4 5 8 7 7 4 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Better 47% 44% 37% 41% 32% 40% 36% 71% 43% Worse 44 48 56 48 60 51 55 22 51 SAME(VOL) 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 - 1 DK/NA 7 6 5 8 6 7 7 7 4 -
Question 16. Would you say that the COVID-19 pandemic made you or people you know more likely to look for a new job, or wouldn't you say that?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/More likely 41% 26% 45% 48% 37% 45% 39% 35% No 52 65 48 46 56 48 56 55 DK/NA 7 9 7 6 7 7 6 9 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/More likely 63% 45% 32% 19% 33% 39% 36% 45% 47% No 34 54 64 63 59 51 55 49 51 DK/NA 3 1 4 18 7 9 8 6 2 REGION................... DENSITY............ NEast MWest South West City Suburb Rural Yes/More likely 40% 40% 39% 46% 47% 42% 31% No 52 54 54 47 47 53 62 DK/NA 8 6 7 6 7 5 8 -
Question 17. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, when do you expect life to return to normal: in the next couple of months, in about six months, in about one year, in more than one year, or never?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Couple months 4% 5% 2% 5% 6% 2% 4% 5% About 6 months 10 7 13 10 12 8 15 11 About 1 year 23 15 33 22 21 24 31 20 More than 1 year 32 35 32 32 33 32 29 30 Never 26 31 18 28 24 28 18 29 DK/NA 5 7 2 3 4 5 4 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Couple months 5% 3% 3% 4% 7% 3% 5% 3% 3% About 6 months 13 8 8 13 14 10 12 3 9 About 1 year 23 17 23 29 21 26 24 21 19 More than 1 year 34 36 31 28 27 31 29 45 31 Never 21 31 31 21 26 24 25 24 34 DK/NA 4 5 4 5 4 6 5 5 4 REGION................... DENSITY............ NEast MWest South West City Suburb Rural Couple months 4% 5% 3% 4% 4% 4% 5% About 6 months 13 13 9 8 13 8 8 About 1 year 24 20 20 28 23 24 21 More than 1 year 29 33 36 27 32 33 32 Never 25 24 25 29 23 27 29 DK/NA 5 5 6 2 5 5 5 -
Question 18. Thinking about your personal life, would you say that issues involving COVID-19, such as vaccinations or safety protocols, have caused divisions with your family or friends, or wouldn't you say that?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Caused divisions 43% 45% 37% 45% 39% 46% 45% 43% No 56 54 62 53 60 52 55 56 DK/NA 1 1 - 2 1 2 - 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Caused divisions 49% 47% 43% 32% 39% 47% 43% 31% 55% No 50 52 56 65 60 51 56 67 44 DK/NA 1 - 2 3 1 1 1 2 1 REGION................... DENSITY............ NEast MWest South West City Suburb Rural Yes/Caused divisions 38% 38% 40% 54% 43% 41% 46% No 60 61 57 46 56 59 52 DK/NA 2 1 2 - 1 - 2 -
Question 19. In thinking about what's going on with the COVID-19 situation in the United States right now, please tell me if any of the following words describe how you are feeling. As I read each option, please tell me if it describes how you're feeling or not. Are you feeling: hopeful, worried, emotionally exhausted, angry, indifferent, or disappointed? (Totals may add up to more than 100% because multiple responses were allowed)
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Hopeful 50% 45% 61% 45% 50% 50% 48% 51% Worried 43 39 50 41 35 50 48 43 Emotionally exhaustd 46 42 49 49 35 57 50 47 Angry 41 50 40 40 40 42 46 49 Indifferent 24 27 19 23 26 22 14 27 Disappointed 62 69 58 62 63 60 65 66 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 2 1 - 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Hopeful 49% 45% 46% 62% 47% 53% 50% 64% 44% Worried 43 44 39 46 40 50 45 44 43 Emotionally exhaustd 56 52 41 39 37 57 48 44 50 Angry 36 41 48 43 49 47 48 31 32 Indifferent 30 26 23 16 25 21 23 27 27 Disappointed 64 63 64 59 69 62 65 58 58 DK/NA 1 3 1 2 2 1 2 1 - REGION................... DENSITY............ NEast MWest South West City Suburb Rural Hopeful 53% 53% 47% 50% 55% 48% 46% Worried 42 41 43 43 43 42 42 Emotionally exhaustd 47 43 45 51 47 49 44 Angry 47 37 39 44 39 40 47 Indifferent 20 23 27 22 24 21 26 Disappointed 63 58 60 66 63 58 69 DK/NA 1 3 1 1 1 2 1 -
Question 24. Do you think the government needs to be involved in regulating social media companies like Facebook and Twitter, or don't you think so?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Involved 47% 42% 57% 45% 45% 49% 59% 44% No 45 53 36 47 47 42 34 48 DK/NA 8 5 7 8 8 9 7 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Involved 36% 43% 51% 64% 49% 50% 49% 42% 51% No 58 51 42 27 44 42 43 51 43 DK/NA 6 6 7 9 7 8 8 7 6 HAVE KIDS <18 YRS InPublic Yes School Yes/Involved 39% 38% No 54 55 DK/NA 7 7 -
Question 25. Do you think social media companies like Facebook and Twitter do more good than harm or do more harm than good?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Do more good 20% 10% 27% 21% 21% 19% 18% 12% Do more harm 70 85 62 70 69 72 73 79 DK/NA 10 5 11 9 10 9 10 9 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Do more good 28% 18% 20% 11% 14% 14% 14% 39% 25% Do more harm 62 71 73 79 77 77 77 49 67 DK/NA 9 11 8 11 9 9 9 12 8 HAVE KIDS <18 YRS InPublic Yes School Do more good 18% 19% Do more harm 73 72 DK/NA 9 9 -
Question 26. How would you rate the job Facebook is doing handling misinformation on its social media platform: excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Excellent 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% - - Good 12 5 13 15 11 13 5 11 Not so good 27 19 43 24 21 32 27 26 Poor 52 65 38 53 58 47 64 56 DK/NA 8 9 5 8 9 7 4 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Excellent 1% 1% 1% 1% - - - 3% 4% Good 15 13 12 9 6 11 9 23 15 Not so good 26 23 25 34 21 31 26 32 27 Poor 50 52 55 51 65 52 58 33 45 DK/NA 8 11 7 6 8 5 7 10 10 HAVE KIDS <18 YRS InPublic Yes School Excellent 2% 2% Good 12 11 Not so good 20 20 Poor 55 57 DK/NA 11 10 -
Question 28. Do you think teachers in the United States today are appreciated enough, or do you think teachers are not appreciated enough?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Appreciated enough 18% 31% 7% 17% 21% 15% 16% 22% Not enough 77 64 92 76 73 80 80 73 DK/NA 5 5 1 7 6 5 4 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Appreciated enough 14% 9% 21% 25% 23% 18% 20% 9% 18% Not enough 83 85 73 68 73 77 75 88 79 DK/NA 3 6 6 7 4 5 4 2 3 HAVE KIDS <18 YRS InPublic Yes School Appreciated enough 13% 12% Not enough 81 82 DK/NA 6 6