Americans expect a COVID surge in winter

The Ipsos Consumer Tracker asks Americans questions about culture, the economy and the forces that shape our lives. Here's one thing we learned this week.

Why we asked about COVID expectations: Typically, as we move indoors more and gather in large family groups who have traveled to celebrate holidays, we have also seen COVID surges. Do we think another one is coming?

What we found: We do, mostly. 61% think there will be a spike this winter, which is about flat from the same time last year. You’ll note the use of the word “typically” in the “why we asked” section. Maybe this is the “new normal” everyone was hoping for and wondering about in the early stages at the post-vaccine era. For what it’s worth, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees. It says, “CDC continues to anticipate that the upcoming fall and winter respiratory disease season will likely result in a similar number of hospitalizations as last season.”

More insights from this wave of the Ipsos Consumer Tracker:

There’s strong bipartisan support for Biden’s executive order on AI

Americans have more confidence in the economy than a year ago

Americans care about a court case that could upend the real estate industry