Signals #8: Understanding the coronavirus crisis

Things are moving on: we have witnessed the progression from outbreak to pandemic, the imposition of lockdowns in many countries and, now, the gradual re-opening of society and the economy.

As we look towards the uncertain period ahead, our focus is on understanding the dynamics of the current situation as we start to adapt to new realities.

This latest edition of Signals presents new research on the pandemic and its aftermath from our teams around the world. We draw on our latest opinion studies, social listening data and expert analysis. You can download previous editions of Signals from the dedicated Signals hub page.

Featured topics include:

• Public opinion – Our latest 16-country coronavirus poll finds a lack of detailed understanding about how the virus spreads, asking people whether they believe COVID-19 can be transmitted via surfaces, children, animals – and even 5G technology. Meanwhile, our What Worries the World tracker shows that coronavirus is still the top concern worldwide but is diminishing slightly while unemployment anxiety is creeping up, reaching the highest level recorded in five years.
• Research insights – A new paper, Climate Change & COVID-19: What Now?, connects the parallel crises of coronavirus and climate change, analysing changing public attitudes and behaviour as well as the growing mandate for a “green” recovery. Meanwhile, culinary creativity and health-consciousness are among the key findings from our study on changing food habits in the MENA region during coronavirus.
• Country insights – Brazil is one of the countries worst hit by the coronavirus, and the public mood reflects the reality that few Brazilians will emerge from the crisis unaffected: seven in 10 say that the country is heading in the wrong direction. In the US, social distancing is relaxing but coronavirus concerns rebound as almost two-thirds of Americans say that returning to their pre-COVID life is risky. Similarly, Italy has seen a small rise in concern for personal safety among its citizens while the country reopens and the public are cautiously resuming at least some of the activities they did before.