- Just one in five say the pandemic is over for the country, while almost two in five say the same of themselves personally.
- Thinking about the pandemic on a personal level, Americans are more concerned about their health than finances; nationally, they are equally concerned about both.
- Nearly half say Biden is doing enough to get the United States past the pandemic, while the same share say Republicans in Congress are not doing enough.
Optimism Continues to Grow Over the Direction of the Pandemic
Republicans are the most optimistic (55% say the “worst is over”), though pluralities of Democrats (44%) and independents (41%) also agree the worst of the pandemic is behind the United States.
However, Pandemic Optimism Is Not Universal Across Groups
Fewer women (41% say the “worst is over”), non-college Americans (45%), rural Americans (44%), and those with household incomes under $50,000 (40%) are optimistic about the state of the pandemic.
While Optimism Is Growing Over the Direction of the Pandemic, Few See the Pandemic as Over for the Country
Republicans are the most likely to say the pandemic is over for themselves (49%) and the country (28%), while just one in three independents (33%) say the pandemic is over for themselves and only 14% for the country broadly.
Americans Are Feeling the Pandemic in Their Mask Wearing and at Work; Nationally, on the Vaccination Debate
For Americans still feeling the personal impact of the pandemic, they mention work from home or changes at work, as well as wearing masks; nationally, many bring up the unvaccinated preventing a return to normal, the debate around vaccine mandates, and other vaccine-related conversations.
Americans Are More Concerned About Personal Health Than Finances, But Are Split on Health and Economy Nationally
Three in five Americans are more concerned about their health and the health of those close to them than personal finances, while they are nearly split down the middle on concerns about public health and the economy.
Vaccines and the Pandemic, Infrastructure, and Efforts to Pass Bills Top Positive Conversation Around Biden This Week
Those who are hearing positives on Biden recognize his efforts to get Americans vaccinated, pass infrastructure legislation, and end the pandemic.
Biden and Democrats Continue to Be More Trusted on Issues Related to the Pandemic
Among independents, Biden and Democrats are more trusted by 38 points to ensure enough people are vaccinated and by 20 points to combat the pandemic.
Near Majorities Continue to Say Biden Is Doing Enough on the Pandemic, While Congressional Republicans Are Not
Among independents, while 36% say Biden is doing enough, less than one in five (19%) say the same of Republicans in Congress.
Biden’s Approval Rating on the Pandemic Remains Above Water
Half of Americans continue to give the President positive ratings on his handling of the pandemic (50% approve).
Biden’s Job Approval Holds Steady; Republicans in Congress Earn Ratings Much Deeper Underwater
On net approval, Republicans in Congress are 9-points more in the negative than Biden (-19 compared to -10); this difference is wider among independents (-53 and -33 net approval, respectively).
Amid Pervasive Feelings of “Frustration,” Biden’s Base Remains “Hopeful”
Feelings of “frustration” are strong across party and race, but at least two in five Democrats (65%), Black Americans (56%), Hispanic Americans (45%), and AAPI (40%) report feeling “hopeful” since Biden’s election.
About The Study
This release features findings from a national online survey of 1,001 registered voters conducted October 22-25, 2021. Additional interviews were conducted among 103 Hispanic voters, 103 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 80 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.
