Key takeaways from the survey
- More than seven in ten Americans say the worst of the pandemic is over, the highest in our tracking.
- A majority says their local community is reopening at the right pace, while two in five say the same of the country.
- A growing share now say life will return to normal before 2022.
Vast Majority Say the Worst of the Pandemic Is Over – a Major Shift Since February
Since our first survey conducted after Biden took office in early February, the share of Americans saying “the worst is over” has increased 41 points (from 30% to 71%).
Nearly Three in Four Approve of Vaccine Rollout, as More Americans Report Being Vaccinated
Now, 69% of Democrats, 52% of independents, and 51% of Republicans have been vaccinated: at the same time, 89% of Democrats, 65% of independents, and 60% of Republicans approve of how the vaccine rollout has gone.
Plurality Says the Country Is Reopening at the Right Pace and a Majority Says the Same of Their Community
Among independents, nearly half (47%) say the country is reopening at a pace that is “just about right” and 56% say the same of their local community.
More Expect Life to Return to Normal Before 2022
This March, just 44% said they expected life to return to normal sometime this year: now, nearly three in five (59%) say the same.
Three in Five Americans Report Having Returned Mostly to Normal, Pre-Pandemic Life
Republicans (74%) are most likely to say they have “mostly” or “completely” resumed life as normal, while just around half of Democrats (53%) and independents (58%) say the same.
Despite Pace of Reopening, Most Plan to Continue Wearing Masks and Socially Distancing Some of the Time
A majority of independents say they will wear a mask (69%) and socially distance (71%) at least sometimes.
Biden’s Approval Ratings on the Pandemic, the Economy, and on His Overall Job Performance Remain Positive
Biden’s approval ratings are at net +9 overall, +4 on the economy, and +28 on the pandemic.
Vaccines, Pandemic, and Economy Remain Most Discussed Biden Positives This Week
More than nine in ten Democrats (91%), 66% of independents, and 45% of Republicans report hearing “mostly positive” or a “mix of positive and negative” on Biden this week.
Biden and Democrats More Trusted on Pandemic, Health Care, and “Treating Others the Way You Would Like to Be Treated”
Among independents, Biden and the Democratic Party are more trusted across each issue area, including by more than 20 points on the pandemic (+36), health care (+27), and “treating others the way you would like to be treated” (+26).
About The Study
This release features findings from a national online survey of 1,204 registered voters conducted May 20-24, 2021. Additional interviews were conducted among 149 Hispanic voters, 100 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 194 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.