Public Opinion on the Coronavirus outbreak: a multi-country poll from Ipsos
Nearly nine in ten in each of the eight countries have heard a great deal or at least fair amount about the Coronavirus.
We stand at a precipice between optimism and fear
Awareness of the virus is high across each country
Citizens do not yet see a personal threat, but are more concerned at a global level
- While few see a threat to themselves personally, more than two in five citizens in each country see the virus as a threat to the world. This rises to over half in some countries.
Healthcare services are the most trusted to deal with the outbreak
- Health officials are also most likely to be trusted as a source of information.
Citizens disagree that the virus has been contained
- Only about one in five in each country agree that it has been contained and will be over soon
- And only one in three say that the situation is being exaggerated by the media.
There is a willingness to take action, although long-term implications are not clear.
Citizens support strict actions
- Sizeable majorities support mandatory screening for people who have travelled to impacted areas and mandatory quarantines.
- Around two in three across each country support restricting air travel to impacted areas.
Restricting travel and washing hands are the most common change expected in personal behaviours
- Around two in three citizens in each country say they would make these changes to protect themselves; only one in ten say they are not considering any actions.
Citizens believe there will be a longer term impact on travel to China and on major sporting events
- Disruption in trade with China is mixed across countries with Germany, Japan and Russia less likely than those in other countries to expect a change.