Pollsters released several national surveys about life this week that can be placed under the broad umbrella of “reassuring” or even “joy-inducing.” This is a welcome change of pace for public opinion on politics and our lives so I wanted to highlight the data.
Overall, polls show many people are returning to pre-pandemic life, while simultaneously keeping up the hobbies they formed during covid.
Take this poll from the Associated Press and NORC at U-Chicago. It found that 63% of people said they will go to a bar or restaurant in the next few weeks, up twenty percentage points since May 2020. About 90% of people who said they visited their family at least once a month before the pandemic now say they’re likely to do so again in the next few weeks. Appetite for travel, religious services and sporting events is also up. Overall worry about getting infected is at its lowest point since February 2020.
A CBS News poll also found that half of Americans say they’ll see their fathers in person for Father’s Day this Sunday. I am traveling for the first time since lockdowns last spring and cannot wait to see my dad.
Polling from YouGov and The Economistthis week also found that a broad majority of Americans are keeping up with several categories of personal habits, many of which saw a boost last year. To be sure, respondents probably feel some social pressure to say they’re active outside of work and school, but at least there are fewer people saying they are less active than more active. I personally rekindled my love for running over the last six month — so if anecdata is anything to go on…
That’s all for the most reassuring stuff this week. Although many of us live in areas of the country that are not anywhere close to safe for a return to normality, some of us do, and that’s worth being momentarily happy about.
I've generally resumed my pre-pandemic routines while wearing a mask. Being vaccinated gave me confidence to resume going to breakfast at a restaurant with my dad on Saturdays which we did every Saturday before the pandemic. There is a clear sense of normality for me. Hopefully everyone will get to this place.
Hi Elliott,
I've generally resumed my pre-pandemic routines while wearing a mask. Being vaccinated gave me confidence to resume going to breakfast at a restaurant with my dad on Saturdays which we did every Saturday before the pandemic. There is a clear sense of normality for me. Hopefully everyone will get to this place.
I hope all is well,
Elliot
Normality.