Coronavirus Survey Results: Will Take Vaccine, CDC Takes Trust Hit
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
October 4, 2020 — Thanks to the more than 500 generous people who cared enough to spend a few minutes filling our Coronavirus Activity Survey. As we hoped, the results were extremely interesting. Most were predictable, but it is reassuring to see most Topretirements Members are taking the pandemic seriously. The hundreds of personal comments written in to several of the questions make one thing very clear – the coronavirus pandemic has been one of the most momentous events in all of our lifelines, changing daily life now, and in some ways for the rest of our lives.
Some main points:
Topretirements Members are more likely to take a vaccine than the general population (71% vs. 50%).
The CDC has taken a big reputational hit, with far more trusting Dr. Fauci.
Mask compliance is high.
About half of respondents will go to a barbershop or salon.
Car travel is viewed as far safer than flying
People are split about eating in restaurants and visiting friends.
Almost all of the survey responses were given before the President and some in his inner circle tested positive. Our hope is that people will take precautions even more seriously after seeing how communicable the virus is. Note that Topretirements Members and visitors are almost all aged 55+.
Here are the results of the survey:
Q1 Would you take a coronavirus vaccine if the CDC said it was safe and effective?
More than two thirds (71%) of those taking the survey said they would take the vaccine. This contrasts with a recent CNN poll, which showed that 51% of Americans would try to get the vaccine. In the CNN poll 60% of those over 65 said they would take it.
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Yes
No
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71%
29%
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197 Comments: More than two thirds of respondents said they will take a vaccine, but cautiously. There is a great deal of distrust of CDC as being politicized. Many would like to give a vaccine time to prove itself. Below are links to all 197 Comments on this question (Mac and Xcl versions).
Typical comment: “Maybe. I wanna vaccine but I want to be sure that it is safe. It depends when the vaccine comes out. If it comes out before election day I will not take it because I think it would be a political vaccine. “
Q2. Who do you believe more about vaccine effectiveness and safety?
Comments on "Coronavirus Survey Results: Will Take Vaccine, CDC Takes Trust Hit"
JCarol says:
The link to comments isn't activated.
Admin says:
Click on either the blue link underneath or Download. We hope it is only temporary, but you have to download the results in csv. Are working with survey host to try to get a pdf which doesnt require download. Sorry for the trouble.
We also added a link to the almost 200 Comments to Question 1, Will you take the vaccine.
Daryl says:
All those links take me to the retirement living survey from August (which I actually prefer to peruse vs thinking about COVID for one more minute :)
Editor comment: Don't blame you!
Admin says:
We must have some gerbils working mischief behind the scenes. For some reason it kept reverting to last survey, now corrected. Sorry about that.
Click on either the blue link underneath or Download. We hope it is only temporary, but you have to download the results in csv. Are working with survey host to try to get a pdf which doesnt require download.
JCarol says:
Your CSV file has a .numbers extension, which is only readable on Macs.
Would you please offer a version with a .doc or .xls extension?
Thanks
Admin comment: Thank you for pointing out this problem. Excel versions now added. PS - Never had such trouble with these before, but thanks to caring people like you we will get it fixed!
Admin says:
A good friend told me about an incident he found troubling. He and wife were invited to a small gathering at another friend's house. It was specifically mentioned that it would be held outside. When they got there, the host said, gosh the weather isn't so great, let's move inside. He and his wife were stunned, the only reason they agreed to come was because it was an outside event. Eventually they went inside, afraid to hurt their host, but felt guilty and unsafe, leaving early. Any advice from others on how to handle this type of situation - bound to happen to all of us as the weather gets colder.
Staci says:
This happened to us recently. We intended to host another couple outside, but as the hour approached the weather was changing. I contacted the couple and gave them the option to reschedule if they wanted to. They opted to come, and it worked out fine, but it might not be possible for those in tight quarters.
Lovie96 says:
Sorry, not mingling inside anyone's home especially without a mask. Just not worth taking chances like that these days....
Mary11 says:
The only person I've had in my rented condo in over a year has been my landlady. Even after she was told I was immune compromised she wanted to do an inspection. We left the premises but our state says that should only be done for repairs but since we don't have a lease we couldn't push it. She thinks Covid is just the flu...oh well...
Louise says:
First of all, people should be prepared for the possibility of a weather change. We all know weather changes and sometimes from one minute to the next. So, to find out that the event was being moved indoors shouldn't be an earth shattering surprise. People should be prepared for that and make up their minds before they get there to do what they feel comfortable with. Don't be guilt tripped into doing what makes you uncomfortable. Put your big boy and girl pants on and if you find situations have changed, just say no, we only came because it was going to be outdoors. We don't feel comfortable right now with indoor events. Say thank you, sorry and leave. Simple, just do it. Yes, it might be hard to walk away from something your host has put time and effort into but the host will understand if he/she had planned it as an outdoor event in the first place. Another thing that these people could have done from the get go is tell the host that they would love to come to the outdoor event. But if anything changes and it has to be moved indoors, we will not be able to stay. Right upfront tell the host.
Tess says:
Agree with Louise - say it upfront when you accept the invitation. You can be polite about it, but no one should feel guilt for not spending time indoors with people that aren't from your own household. But if you weren't upfront about it, I'd much rather be safe and take the risk of disappoiinting someone rather than spend time indoors with unmasked people.
Maimi says:
The hardest part for me has been not being able to attend funeral services for friend and relative who died of COVID. I won’t go into a church.