WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Few situations have affected the American people in such tangible and profound ways as the national response to COVID-19. The 9/11 terrorist attacks had an immediate emotional impact on most Americans, as well as affected their willingness to be in crowds or travel for a period time. World War II bound the country in shared national sacrifice and fear for loved ones but may not have altered daily routines as much as the current pandemic.
It will be some time before the full impact of the COVID-19 crisis can be assessed and compared with historical events. At the moment, Gallup's daily polling is seeing vast public compliance with social distancing guidelines and serious concern about the economy, but also resilience and cautious optimism about the future.
Specifically, this week we learned:
Americans are increasingly perceiving that the country has already entered a recession or worse, although a sizeable minority of Republicans continue to see the economy in less grave terms.
More in U.S. See Economy in Recession or Depression
The percentage of Americans being significantly affected by nationwide social-distancing rules and guidelines has leveled off since late March, but at a very high level.
Three in Four in U.S. Have Self-Isolated in Their Household (April 8)
Eight in 10 in U.S. Experiencing Significant Disruption (April 7)
The vast majority of investors (those with $10,000 or more in the market) are either sitting tight or looking at the stock market downturn as a buying opportunity rather than a time to sell. Nevertheless, they are becoming less optimistic that the market will bounce back quickly.
U.S. Investors Sitting Tight but Expect Slow Market Recovery (April 9)
After 65% of parents reported in late March that their child was receiving online distance learning from their school, that figure has swelled but is still not 100%. Whether some schools are still getting their online programs up and running or will leave parents to find their own means of engaging students remains to be seen.
Over 8 in 10 Parents Now Say Child Is Learning Remotely (April 8)
LINKS TO EARLIER STORIES
Review Gallup's findings from the past month on all aspects of the crisis.
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Social Distancing
Americans Hesitant to Return to Normal in Short Term (April 1)
Americans Step Up Their Social Distancing Even Further (March 24)
Americans Rapidly Answering the Call to Isolate, Prepare (March 20)
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Personal and Financial Disruption
Three in Four Americans Worry About COVID-19 Exposure (April 6)
Americans Worry Doctor Visits Raise COVID-19 Risk (April 6)
U.S. Coronavirus Concerns Surge, Government Trust Slides (March 16)
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Workplace Change and Disruption
U.S. Workers Discovering Affinity for Remote Work (April 3)
COVID-19 Effects at Workplaces Accelerate (April 3)
U.S. Employees Increasingly Seeing COVID-19 Effects at Work (March 27)
Most U.S. Workers Not Yet Drastically Impacted by COVID-19 (March 19)
Half of U.S. Workers Expect COVID-19 to Harm Workplace (March 16)
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Ratings of U.S. COVID-19 Leadership
Bipartisan Support for COVID-19 Rescue Legislation (March 30)
Coronavirus Response: Hospitals Rated Best, News Media Worst (March 24)
U.S. Coronavirus Concerns Surge, Government Trust Slides (March 16)
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Outlook for the Economy
Majority in U.S. Say Country in Recession or Depression (April 2)
Americans Increasingly Expect Economic Recession (March 26)
Most U.S. Adults Expect Long-Term COVID-19 Disruption (March 25)
U.S. Economic Confidence Slides Amid Coronavirus Situation (March 18)
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U.S. Adults' Wellbeing
Estimating COVID-19 Prevalence in Symptomatic Americans (April 3)
11 Million in U.S. at Severe Risk If Infected With COVID-19 (March 27)
Few Report Improved Diet, Exercise Amid COVID-19 Crisis (April 2)
Most in U.S Report No Change in Connectedness Amid COVID-19 (April 2)
U.S. Emotions Mixed After a Tense Month of COVID-19 Response (March 31)
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Children's Wellbeing
Amid School Closures, Children Feeling Happiness, Boredom (April 2)
42% of Parents Worry COVID-19 Will Affect Child's Education (March 31)
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Perspectives on COVID-19 Crisis Referencing Gallup Data
Official jobless figures will miss the economic pain of the pandemic (April 3)
Religion and the COVID-19 Virus in the U.S. (April 6)
Six Emerging Conclusions: Public Opinion and COVID-19 (March 27)
10 Key Findings: Public Opinion on Coronavirus (March 20)
Visit Gallup's COVID-19 Roundup Page for previous editions of this data brief.
Find all Gallup articles about COVID-19 on the COVID-19 Topics page.
