Only 27% of Americans view coronavirus as a major threat to their health: study

70 per cent of Americans believe the Covid-19 outbreak is a major threat to the nation's economy

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases balloon worldwide, a survey conducted by Pew Research Centre stated that 70 per cent of Americans believe that the Covid-19 outbreak is a major threat to the nation's economy, compared to 47 per cent who believe it is a grave threat to the overall healthcare system of the US.

As many as 27% of Americans say the coronavirus is a major threat to their health, whereas 51% believe it to be a minor threat. 22% believe it does not threaten their personal health at all.

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise in the country, the number of Americans who believe the virus is a major threat to the economy and other aspects of life also continues to increase. In interviews conducted on March 10-11, 42% of the public termed the virus a major threat to public health. In interviews conducted March 14-16, the percentage of people rose to 55%.

The national survey by Pew Research Centre finds public confidence that health officials at the Centre’s for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and government officials have responded well to the outbreak.



83% reported “very or somewhat confident” – including 40% who are “very confident”. 73% also reported confidence in government officials.

The public expressed less confidence in the response of US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence - 45% are “very or somewhat confident” in Trump and 48% in Pence.

The new survey reported several other findings.

Media’s response to outbreak

A report by the Election News Pathways found that Americans are closely watching the news about Covid-19. 70% of the public said the media is doing “very or somewhat well” covering the stories and 48% reported having seen at least some misinformation.

Partisan reactions to the government’s response to outbreak

59% of Democrats say the outbreak is a major threat to public health, whereas only 33% of Republicans reported the same. Republicans reported more confidence in Trump and Pence to respond to the pandemic, as compared to Democrats, while both parties displayed confidence in CDC health officials and government officials.

Republicans versus Democrats

Democrats are more likely to view the outbreak as a major threat. 59% of Democrats believe the coronavirus is a major threat, compared to 33% of Republicans. While both agree the virus is a threat to the US economy, Democrats are more likely to say it.

Furthermore, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say the virus is a threat to their day-to-day lives, personal financial situation and personal health.

Trump versus media

The survey also showed that 52% of the public believed that Trump did not take the risks from the pandemic seriously enough, 37% believe he has gotten the risks right. 10% also believe he has exaggerated the risks, compared to 62% that believe the media exaggerated the risks.

Financial difficulties

With the increase in Covid-19 cases and as a precautionary measure, the US shut schools and offices. Only 36% of the public said they would continue to get paid if they were unable to work for two weeks or more. 21% said they would manage to meet basic expenses, even if they were not paid during the shutdown. One-third of Americans said they would not be paid and would find it difficult to keep up with expenses.

The survey also reported that the virus would hurt lower-income, less educated, younger and non-white workers more than others.



Blacks and Hispanics are less likely to get paid if forced to miss work because of the coronavirus, compared to whites.

Racial, ethnic differences to health concerns

Blacks, Hispanics, older adults and those with no college background are more likely to view the virus as a threat to their own personal health.

46% of black people and 39% of Hispanics view the virus as a major threat, compared to 21% of white adults. 86% view the virus as a greater threat to those aged 65 and older.

People living in urban areas viewed the virus as a greater threat than those living in the suburbs or rural areas.

Close followers of the virus

The US public that follows the virus closely is more likely to see the virus as a major threat, compared to those who are not following it very closely.