The Social and Political Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Introduction

Public Opinion Responses from CSCS Panel

Source: Authors’ calculations from the COVID-19 Social Change Survey (Redbird 2020; Bonilla, Harbridge-Yong, and Redbird 2021; Redbird, Bonilla, and Harbridge-Yong 2021).

Notes: Panel A. In the past month, how often do you wear a mask? (0 = occasionally or never; 1 = always, most of the time, or sometimes). Includes leaning partisans, but not independents. Panel B. Have you gotten (at least) the first dose of the vaccine to prevent COVID-19? If not yet vaccinated, will you get the vaccine? (0 = probably will not get, definitely will not get; 1 = yes, have gotten, definitely will get, probably will get). Includes leaning partisans, but not independents. Panel C. How accurate is the information from the media on [Government response to the coronavirus or noncoronavirus topics]? (1 = very inaccurate; 5 = very accurate). Includes leaning partisans, but not independents. Panel D. “How much can people be trusted?” (1 = can’t really be trusted; 5 = can be trusted a lot).

Public Opinion Responses from CSCS Panel

Source: Authors’ calculations from the COVID-19 Social Change Survey (Redbird 2020; Bonilla, Harbridge-Yong, and Redbird 2021; Redbird, Bonilla, and Harbridge-Yong 2021).

Note: Panel A. How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in [Washington / your state government] to do the right thing? (1 = never; 5 = always). Includes leaning partisans, but not independents. Panel B. “I’m responsible for the well-being of my community.”; “It is important for people to look out for each other.” “We are all connected.”; “My actions have an effect on everyone around me.”; “I am deeply connected to my community.”; “My neighbors would help me if I needed it.”; “I feel like I belong in my community.” (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree). Hispanic and Latino respondents coded as non-White. Scale Cronbach’s alpha = 0.787. Panel C. “On a scale of 1–10, how well does this trait describe [the other] party? [patriotic; mean; intelligent; honest; selfish; open-minded; generous; hypocritical; places country over party]”; “On a scale of 1–10, how comfortable are you having [a member of the other party as]? [a neighbor; a friend; married to your child]”. Includes leaning partisans, but not independents. Scale Cronbach’s alpha = 0.934. Panel D. “How trustworthy are conclusions by scientists? [eating healthy; dealing with the coronavirus; reopening the economy; climate change; space exploration; treating depression; growing the economy; detecting earthquakes]”. (1 = not at all trustworthy; 5 = very trustworthy). Includes leaning partisans, but not independents. Scale Cronbach’s alpha = 0.897.