Number of Canadians who view COVID-19 as ‘serious’ spikes: survey

By Mike Hall

The number of Canadians who view COVID-19 as a “serious” and “real” situation has spiked significantly in the past month, according to a new Angus Reid survey.

More than 40 per cent feel that way now, compared to fewer than a third at the beginning of February, while the number who see the situation as “overblown” has softened.

And more than half are concerned about family or friends becoming sick, while 30 per cent said they’ll think twice about hopping on a plane or heading to large public gatherings, such as a Vancouver Canucks game.

When it comes to the federal government, nearly half surveyed gave high marks for how it has handled what is now a pandemic.

In B.C., nearly two-thirds surveyed feel the provincial government has done a “good job.” In Ontario, 46 per cent say they the same about their provincial government.

Since the last survey, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has climbed to more than 113,000 world-wide, with 4,000 deaths, including one in Canada.

The latter was a man in his 80s who had been a resident at the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver.

In other survey findings, two-thirds say they fear the COVID-19 outbreak will harm the Canadian economy, while 44 per cent are worried about their own personal finances being negatively affected.

One in five Canadians said they have been stocking up on extra supplies, while close to 60 per cent said they are washing their hands more often.

Asked what they would do if they had international travel booked in the next six months, close to 30 per cent said they would cancel those plans.

Lastly, close to 40 per cent said the Tokyo Olympics should go forward as planned in August, while half would delay the Games until the outbreak has passed.

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