Tracking the Return to Normal: Views on the Pandemic
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Morning Consult has surveyed thousands of Americans to gauge the effects of the coronavirus on public opinion and behaviors across a wide range of categories, from politics and economics to shopping and dining. As the country has transitioned into a “new normal,” Morning Consult closely monitored how American attitudes are shifting in these later stages of the pandemic.
The Views on the Pandemic tracker examines how the public feels about COVID-19's continuing impacts on health, politics and the economy by examining attitudes toward vaccines, political and institutional handling of the coronavirus, economic impacts of the pandemic and more.
This tracker was updated monthly alongside Return to Normal: Consumer Comfort, which monitors the public's comfort engaging in various socializing, entertainment and travel activities.
This tracker is no longer being updated. Explore more coverage on the return to normal here.
Key Takeaways
Congress’ net approval on coronavirus jumps: Net approval for Congress’ handling of COVID-19 has surged to its highest level since the onset of the pandemic in April 2020. At plus 9, 48% of voters approve of Congress’ performance on the coronavirus, while 39% disapprove.
Uptick in Biden’s net approval on coronavirus: As the public health emergency ends, President Joe Biden’s standing with voters over his handling of COVID-19 climbed to plus 7 (50% approve, 43% disapprove), its highest level since August 2021. Biden’s net approval among Republicans on COVID-19 rose to minus 58 (18% approve, 76% disapprove), its highest level since July 2021.
Slim majority of public backs vaccine mandates: At least half of U.S. adults support COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal, state and local government employees, as well as employers and schools, while 49% say the same for businesses.
Concern Over the Delta and Omicron Variants
Monthly surveys are conducted among a representative sample of roughly 2,200 U.S. adults and have an unweighted margin of error of +/-2 percentage points.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
Monthly surveys are conducted among a representative sample of roughly 2,200 U.S. adults and have an unweighted margin of error of +/-2 percentage points.
Tracking Concern Over COVID-19
Monthly surveys are conducted among a representative sample of roughly 2,200 U.S. adults and have an unweighted margin of error of +/-2 percentage points.
Viewing COVID-19 as a ‘Severe’ Health Risk in Your Community
Monthly surveys are conducted among a representative sample of roughly 2,200 U.S. adults and have an unweighted margin of error of +/-2 percentage points.
Biden’s Net Approval for Handling COVID-19
Monthly surveys are conducted among a representative sample of roughly 1,990 registered voters and have an unweighted margin of error of +/-2 percentage points.
Net Approval for Leaders’ Handling of Coronavirus
Monthly surveys are conducted among a representative sample of roughly 1,990 registered voters and have an unweighted margin of error of +/-2 percentage points.
Source of This Data
Methodology
Morning Consult’s Return to Normal: Views of the Pandemic relies on a monthly survey that measures Americans' perceptions of vaccines, political and institutional leadership in handling the coronavirus, the economic cost and more. The latest results are based on a survey of 2,202 U.S. adults, conducted May 4-7, 2023.
As of May 2023, Morning Consult is no longer updating its Return to Normal: Views of the Pandemic tracker. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
About Morning Consult
Morning Consult is a global decision intelligence company changing how modern leaders make smarter, faster, better decisions. The company pairs its proprietary high-frequency data with applied artificial intelligence to better inform decisions on what people think and how they will act. Learn more at morningconsult.com.
Email [email protected] to speak with a member of the Morning Consult team.
Matt Bracken previously worked at Morning Consult as a senior editor of energy, finance, health and tech.
