The COVID-19 pandemic demands collective action: To slow the spread of the coronavirus, public health experts have urged all Americans to take part in social distancing measures.
As the virus lingers or resurges around the country, however, individuals and families have approached social distancing with differing degrees of consistency and concern. Conflicting social distancing standards have produced public confrontations and online shaming – not to mention disagreements among friends and family members.
Stannah approximately 1,000 individuals about their own approaches to social distancing and their opinions of others’ social distancing efforts. Their findings reveal widespread worry about the actions of others, frequent arguments, awkward moments, and uncertainty behind expert recommendations.
- 37% said they will not be gathering with their family for the holidays due to COVID-19
- 40% say they feel the most comfortable having all of the family members wear masks at holiday gatherings
- Millennials are the most likely to want family members to wear masks (42%) and to get tested prior to the holiday gathering (41%)
- Baby Boomers are the most likely to only feel comfortable with a virtual family gathering this year (30%)
- 32% say they feel pressured from family to socialize or travel this holiday season, mostly coming from parents (61%) or children (52%)
- 1 in 4 say they aren’t comfortable having a holiday gathering at all this year
- 29% of respondents say they haven’t even considered their holiday plans for this year.
