Two Years Into the Pandemic, Americans Inch Closer to a New Normal
Americans in 2022 find themselves in an environment that is at once greatly improved and frustratingly familiar.
Public’s Top Priority for 2022: Strengthening the Nation’s Economy
Dealing with coronavirus has declined as a policy priority, especially among Republicans. This marks a shift from last year, when the economy and the coronavirus both topped the public’s policy agenda.
Americans’ Trust in Scientists, Other Groups Declines
Trust in scientists and medical scientists has fallen below pre-pandemic levels, with 29% of U.S. adults saying they have a great deal of confidence in medical scientists to act in the best interests of the public. This is down from 40% in November 2020 and 35% in January 2019, before COVID-19 emerged. Other prominent groups – including the military, police officers and public school principals – have also seen their ratings decline.
Increasing Public Criticism, Confusion Over COVID-19 Response in U.S.
Americans are increasingly critical of the response to COVID-19 from elected officeholders and public health officials. Positive ratings of public health officials, such as those at the CDC, have fallen 10 points since August. And 60% of U.S. adults say they’ve felt confused as a result of changes to recommendations on how to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Academic, emotional concerns outweigh COVID-19 risks in parents’ views about keeping schools open
53% of parents of K-12 students say schools in the United States should be providing a mix of in-person and online instruction this winter.
Attention to COVID-19 news increased slightly amid omicron surge; partisans differ in views about the outbreak
37% of U.S. adults say they are following news about the coronavirus outbreak very closely. That is up from 31% in March 2021.
Biden Starts Year Two With Diminished Public Support and a Daunting List of Challenges
Americans’ views of the economy remain negative; most say prices have gotten worse while job availability has improved.
How the political typology groups compare
Pew Research Center’s political typology sorts Americans into cohesive, like-minded groups based on their values, beliefs, and views about politics and the political system. Use this tool to compare the groups on some key topics and their demographics.
Biden Loses Ground With the Public on Issues, Personal Traits and Job Approval
Americans show more support than opposition for two infrastructure bills; majorities favor raising taxes on large businesses and high-income households.
Americans who relied most on Trump for COVID-19 news among least likely to be vaccinated
Looking at respondents to 2020 and 2021 surveys reveals differences in vaccination rates based on where people turned most for COVID-19 news.
