Study Reveals Americans Polarized by Recent COVID-19 Protests

While the majority disagree with the protesters message, 83% support their right to protests

April 29, 2020, Los Angeles, CA —SoapBoxSample released new data today about Americans’ views of the anti-quarantine demonstrations that took place in recent weeks across more than a dozen states in the U.S. The protests that were held in places such as California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, sparked a range of emotions among U.S. citizens. As part of their ongoing research initiative to measure the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of Americans, SoapBoxSample polled 400 U.S. residents from across the nation on April 22, 2020.  The data revealed that while the majority (62%) disagree with the protesters’ messages, 83% support their right to demonstrate.

The government’s handling of the COVID-19 response is shaping up to be one of the most divisive issues in American politics. Survey data from the Pew Research Center gathered prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (January of 2020) revealed climate change and gun control to be the top two issues that the American public is most divided on. Six out of ten Americans are in agreement with the statement that climate change is a major threat, and six out of ten Americans are in favor of stricter gun control. The preliminary, quick turnaround, survey data from SoapBoxSample showing that Americans’ sentiments about the protests are split by the same ratio (six out of ten) indicates that the question of when to reopen the economy may be among the most divisive topics in American politics today.

“We’ve seen an unprecedented swell of emotion from the people who participate in our research studies,” said Jacqueline Rosales, SoapBoxSample COO. “While we won’t know for quite some time if the government response to the COVID-19 outbreak was effective, we can say with certainty that the American public is passionately divided on this issue, and the repercussions from this disagreement is likely to have a long-lasting impact on the American political scene.”

To further understand American’s perceptions of the protester’s intentions, SoapBoxSample asked survey participants about what they believe to be the demonstrators’ primary message. The top three causes Americans cited as the protesters’ source of discontent include: because they want to get back to work (70%), they want their individual state economy to reopen (64%), and they believe the social distancing guidelines infringe on their rights as American citizens (52%). Additionally, SoapBoxSample asked respondents about their attitudes toward the protesters themselves. A vast majority (79%) agreed with the statement that protesters are putting themselves and others in danger, and 70% agreed with the statement that protesters are wrong and should follow government guidelines like everyone else.

Americans on both sides of the issue expressed a range of emotions in response to the question – Why do you agree/disagree with the protesters? One study participant in agreement with the protests said, “The cure is worse than the problem at this point and more people are being hurt not being able to work and losing everything they have.” Another study participant who strongly disagreed with the protests exclaimed, “THEY ARE STUPID!!!!!  45000 people are dead, more are dying daily.  You open up the economy and potentially hundreds of THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL DIE.  And the healthcare workers and frontline workers suffer THE MOST!” While emotions on the topic of protests runs high, 98% said they have not participated in protests and don’t plan to.

 

How Business Leaders are Handling COVID-19 Disruptions

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep families homebound and non-essential businesses shut down, business leaders have been forced to make some tough decisions. We polled business leaders from across the U.S. to find out what measures they’re taking and how they’re feeling about the future.

At SoapBoxSample, we’ve been conducting research aimed at understanding American’s attitudes, perceptions and awareness of COVID-19, throughout every phase of the pandemic.

We recently surveyed 201 business leaders (including owners, managers, and sole proprietors), April 2 – 3, 2020, to learn how COVID-19 has or will affect their businesses. Among key findings, 80% of respondents said they had to make changes to the salary, employment status or daily operations of their business due to COVID-19. Among those who said they had to make changes, 52% noted that the most affected change was to their daily operations. Emotions expressed in the survey ranged from fear to anger to hope.

“Depending on how long the pandemic lasts, it could destroy our business in totality.”

“Until the restrictions are lifted, I can’t open the business again. The business had only been in operation for 6 months when the virus started, so it will be difficult to start up again. Lack of funds will be the biggest difficulty.”

However, not everyone had such a grim view. Some business owners are looking at it from a positive perspective, and some noted their opportunity to capitalize on this unique moment in history and strategize for the long term.

“I am a motion graphic artist so I believe the affects will be positive. More companies now will see the value in having their operations be more virtual and my skill set will help with that.”

“In the long term, my company will be larger. I am buying distressed businesses and will profit from many aspects of the crisis.”

A subsequent SoapBoxSample poll fielded April 2 – 3, 2020, measured Americans’ perceptions of when the world would “get back to normal” after COVID-19. Among 409 US residents, 59% said between 1-6 months, while 19% think it will be a year or more. Some of those surveyed expressed more uplifting sentiments about the future.

“I think once everything is contained we can go back to normal and this experience overall will make us all more aware and will have a positive impact in the sense that we will all be more careful.”

“We, as a nation, will overcome this, just as we did other catastrophes, such as 9/11.”

To learn more and read other research in our COVID-19 series, visit https://www.soapboxsample.com/blog/.

SoapBoxSample Releases Data on COVID-19’s Impact on Americans’ Daily Lives

Research study reveals an overwhelming number of Americans have financial fears as a result of COVID-19.

March 19 , 2020, Los Angeles, CA — Research firm SoapBoxSample announced today, the release of the third part of their ongoing series of polls on COVID-19. The most recent poll, conducted by SoapBoxSample continues to monitor the public sentiment during the Coronavirus pandemic.  Over the coming weeks SoapBox will continue to measure changes in public sentiment and understanding, and make the data publicly available. The goal of this initiative is to promote awareness of the virus, thereby enabling the public to make responsible and informed decisions.

The third survey focused on the cancellation of events, changes to routines and the grocery shortages Americans now face.  Results from this survey revealed that every respondent asked (100%) is aware of cancellations due to the Coronavirus outbreak.  The vast majority (87%) at least somewhat agree that cancelling events due to Coronavirus is a smart move, and they support these decisions.

When it comes to daily routines, many respondents are sticking to their regular habits, but are eating at restaurants less (66%) and are washing their hands more (59%).  This may be due to the already high number of respondents using grocery delivery (71% are having their groceries delivered, same as before the outbreak) and food delivery services (69% are using services such as GrubHub, Postmates, UberEats, again same as before the pandemic).

“These are unprecedented times we’re living in,” said Jacqueline Rosales, COO of SoapBoxSample and icanmakeitbetter. “Understanding they ways this pandemic is impacting Americans daily lives allows us better understand and address the fears and assure our communities that we’re all in this together. Our goal is to provide insight on a consistent basis to help combat fear with information.”

The third in a series of SoapBoxSample’s polls on COVID-19, this study was conducted March 17 – 18 with 400 US residents (yielding a 95% confidence level, +\-5% margin of error) and focused on Event Cancellations, Impact on Daily Routines and Changes at the Grocery Store.  Perhaps unsurprisingly, the vast majority (90%) of respondents have noticed changes their local grocery store since the news of the spread of Coronavirus. The majority of these changes revolve around the lack of products, with nearly 94% finding empty shelves, 82% noticing a limited supply of items and longer lines (61%) and more crowds (53%).

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, the American public will be exposed to a myriad of news reports. Taking the pulse of the American public to understand what information they are retaining, and whether that information is accurate, is crucial to the US containment strategy. SoapBoxSample seeks to assist with keeping the public safe and informed, by providing this data to the public at no cost.

Parts 4 and 5 will follow in the coming days. To receive ongoing information and stats, please follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

[button open_new_tab=”true” color=”accent-color” hover_text_color_override=”#fff” size=”small” url=”https://www.soapboxsample.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PS121_changingWorld_v3.pdf” text=”SEE THE INFOGRAPHIC” color_override=””]

US Residents’ Reactions to Government Response and Financial Implications to COVID-19

SoapBoxSample Releases Data on US Residents’ Reactions to Government Response and Financial Implications to COVID-19

Research study reveals an overwhelming number of Americans have financial fears as a result of COVID-19.

March 18 , 2020, Los Angeles, CA — Research firm SoapBoxSample announced today, the release of the second part of their ongoing series of polls on COVID-19. As families across the US are in the midst of self-isolation, at home quarantine, remote education and employment, SoapBoxSample launched a comprehensive research initiative designed to monitor public sentiment in the wake of the life-threatening Coronavirus.

The second survey focused on the government’s response and reaction and the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Results from this survey revealed that just over half (51%) of Americans are somewhat or very satisfied with the government’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak.  Over the coming weeks SoapBox will continue to measure changes in public sentiment and understanding, and make the data publicly available. The goal of this initiative is to promote awareness of the virus, thereby enabling the public to make responsible and informed decisions.

“Information is changing daily,” said Jacqueline Rosales, COO of SoapBoxSample and icanmakeitbetter. “We know our staff, clients, friends and family have many concerns from health to financial impacts. Our goal is to continue providing insight on the thoughts of the American public in order to be a small part to help identify and eliminate the knowledge gaps that could potentially lead to unintentional spread of the virus.”

The second in a series SoapBoxSample’s polls on COVID-19, this study was conducted March 16 – 17 with 401 US residents (yielding a 95% confidence level, +\-5% margin of error).   This wave focused on Government and Finances.  Overall, the government was found to be doing a good job (rating of 4 or 5) as it relates to providing information in a timely manner (49% rating of 4 or 5), stressing the serious nature of this outbreak (49% rating of 4 or 5) and communicating ot the public (47%).  However, the largest segment of respondents rated the government a 1 or 2 (needs improvement) when it comes to factors related to the emotional effecs of the outbreak with 49% stating the government needs improvement in helping people feel calm and preventing public panic.

When asked about the financial impact of the pandemic, nearly all respondents (93%) are aware of the impact Coronavirus has had on the world’s financial markets.  An overhwhelming 64% either have lost money or are worried about the amount of money they’re losing in the market plunge.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, the American public will be exposed to a myriad of news reports. Taking the pulse of the American public to understand what information they are retaining, and whether that information is accurate, is crucial to the US containment strategy. SoapBoxSample seeks to assist with keeping the public safe and informed, by providing this data to the public at no cost.

Parts 3 and 4 will follow in the coming days. To receive ongoing information and stats, please follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

For more information about icanmakeitbetter and Customer Boardroom, visit icanmakeitbetter.com.

US Residents’ Perception, Attitudes and Awareness of Coronavirus

SoapBoxSample Releases Data on US Residents’ Perception, Attitudes and Awareness of Coronavirus

Research study reveals a surprising number of Americans cannot accurately identify the symptoms of COVID-19

March 16 , 2020, Los Angeles, CA — Research firm SoapBoxSample announced today, the release of the first part of their ongoing series on COVID-19. As families across the US prepare for the disruption of their daily lives, SoapBoxSample launched a comprehensive research initiative designed to monitor public sentiment in the wake of the life-threatening Coronavirus. Results from the first survey revealed that a surprising number of Americans cannot accurately identify the symptoms of COVID-19. Additionally, 1 in 3 misidentified the incubation period of COVID-19 as 14 hours, when preliminary research from the CDC suggests it may be as long as 14 days. Over the coming weeks SoapBox will continue to measure changes in public sentiment and understanding, and make the data publicly available. The goal of this initiative is to promote awareness of the virus, thereby enabling the public to make responsible and informed decisions.

“Misinformation is such a catalyst of fear,” said Jacqueline Rosales, COO of SoapBoxSample and icanmakeitbetter. “Our hope is that by sharing this data with the public, health officials and the media, we can help identify and eliminate the knowledge gaps that could potentially lead to unintentional spread of the virus.”

SoapBoxSample’s first poll of 401 US residents, fielded March 4 – March 5, focused on awareness, prevention and attitudes. The survey measured Americans awareness of how the Coronavirus is spread, whether they can correctly identify the symptoms, their understanding of the origins and mortality rate, and how to prevent the spread of the virus. About a third of those surveyed said they believe they are at risk, while a surprising 22% incorrectly report they believe a flu shot can prevent Coronavirus. Only half of Americans correctly identified the source of COVID-19.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, the American public will be exposed to a myriad of news reports. Taking the pulse of the American public to understand what information they are retaining, and whether that information is accurate, is crucial to the US containment strategy. SoapBoxSample seeks to assist with keeping the public safe and informed, by providing this data to the public at no cost.

The results of SoapBoxSample’s second survey of public awareness, fielded March 4 – March 5 focused on prevention.  This survey measured Americans understanding of how to prevent the spread of the virus.  Thankfully, 89% of those surveyed were aware of methods they can use to stop the spread of COVID-19.  This includes washing hands for at least 20 seconds (90% of those aware of prevention methods), avoiding touching one’s face (81%), covering coughs and sneezes with an elbow (79%) amongst other correct methods (disinfecting surfaces, using alchohol based cleaners when soap and water isn’t available, etc.).  While this information in encouraging, there is an alarming number of respondents who believe that a flu shot can protect them from Coronavirus (22%).  This poll also touched on the top sources of information that respondents trust to educate themselves on this ongoing pandemic.  More than half (54%) of respondents use television and news outlets to learn more about the ever-changing topic of COVID-19.  The CDC had the second highest mention, with 41% of respondents using government agency as one of their sources of information.

Parts 2 and 3 will follow in the coming days. To receive ongoing information and stats, please follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

[button open_new_tab=”true” color=”accent-color” hover_text_color_override=”#fff” size=”small” url=”https://www.soapboxsample.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PS121_attitudes_v3.pdf” text=”SEE THE INFOGRAPHIC” color_override=””]