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Analysis Household Response Information and Media Consumption

Does distrusting science decrease social distancing?

1-in-10 Americans distrust scientific experts.

Does that impact how they respond to social distance policies?

About 12% of Americans believe scientific experts are less trustworthy than the average person.

About 12% of Americans believe scientific experts are less trustworthy than the average person.
Americans who distrust scientific experts are less likely to talk with people about the coronavirus.

Americans who distrust scientific experts are less likely to talk with people about the coronavirus.

Americans who distrust experts are also more likely to believe the scope of the pandemic is a hoax.

Americans who distrust experts are also more likely to believe the scope of the pandemic is a hoax.
These Americans are also more likely to go to places with large crowds.

These Americans are also more likely to go to places with large crowds.

Americans who distrust experts are also more likely to go out with friends.

Americans who distrust experts are also more likely to go out with friends.

 

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Analysis Information and Media Consumption

Does media influence social distancing?

Americans have access to a wide variety of media sources.

But are they all equal in COVID-19 information?

More than 50% of Americans report seeing Coronavirus news more than once a day.

More than 50% of Americans report seeing Coronavirus news more than once a day.
Most people are happy with the amount of COVID-19 news they see, but about 40% think it is too much.

Most people are happy with the amount of COVID-19 news they see, but about 40% think it is too much.

Which news you consume influences how much COVID news you see. Large national outlets and local news papers seem to have the most coverage.

Which news you consume influences how much COVID news you see. Large national outlets and local news papers seem to have the most coverage.
Which news you consume also relates to social distancing behaviors. Individuals who get their news primarily online are much more likely to still be going to places with crowds.

Which news you consume also relates to social distancing behaviors. Individuals who get their news primarily online are much more likely to still be going to places with crowds.

Individuals who get their news primarily online are much more likely to still be going out with friends.

Individuals who get their news primarily online are much more likely to still be going out with friends.

 

Categories
Analysis Information and Media Consumption

Is COVID-19 a hoax?

About 1-in-6 Americans believe the scale of the pandemic is a hoax.

That number hasn’t changed much over the last month.

Today, about 16 percent of people agreed with the question “The scale of the pandemic is a hoax.”

Today, about 16 percent of people agreed with the question “The scale of the pandemic is a hoax.”
The number of people who believe the scale of the pandemic is a hoax hasn’t changed much in the past month.

The number of people who believe the scale of the pandemic is a hoax hasn’t changed much in the past month.

Republicans are more likely to believe the pandemic is a hoax than democrats.

Republicans are more likely to believe the pandemic is a hoax than democrats.
What is more surprising, is that people who are less risk averse, who are more likely to take risks and engage in risky behavior, are also more likely to see the pandemic as a hoax.

What is more surprising, is that people who are less risk averse, who are more likely to take risks and engage in risky behavior, are also more likely to see the pandemic as a hoax.

People with a shorter time preference, who do not like to plan far into the future, are also more likely to see the scale of the pandemic as a hoax.

People with a shorter time preference, who do not like to plan far into the future, are also more likely to see the scale of the pandemic as a hoax.