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August 26, 2020: Twenty-six percent (26%) of voters believe the worst of the pandemic is behind us. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 55% disagree and believe the worst is still to come.[1]
While the overall numbers reflect ongoing concern, the 26% reflects a recent burst in confidence. The number believing the worst is behind us is up six points from a week ago and 11 points since July.[1]
Perceptions of the pandemic have sent the nation on an emotional roller coaster. In early April, as the lockdowns were getting started, just 16% thought the worst was behind us, but confidence was growing rapidly. By the end of that month, 23% thought we had gotten through the toughest moments. In May, confidence slipped back to 17% before soaring to 29% in June. That was the highest level of confidence measured. However, just a month later, confidence that the worst was behind us fell back to 15% in July.[1]
For now, the roller coaster appears to be heading back up again. It will be interesting to see if confidence keeps growing in the weeks to come. If it does, that would be a significant benefit to President Trump’s hopes of re-election.
As always, Republicans are more upbeat about the pandemic than anyone else. Forty-five percent (45%) of GOP voters believe the worst is behind us. That optimism is shared by 23% of independents and 11% of Democrats.[1]
It is possible—probably likely—that perceptions of this question may have shifted over time. For some people, the prospect that the worst is still ahead of us means we have to hunker down for a longer period of time. For others, it may mean that we need to find a way to adapt and go on living with a challenge that is going to be with us for a while.
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