Wave 11

1. Public Risk Perceptions | Data Set

The proportion of respondents who indicated that “the worst of the crisis is behind us” increased sharply between Waves 10 (10%) and 11 (25%), as the number of respondents who think we are “currently experiencing the worst of the crisis” and think that “the worst is behind us” declined. Respondents aged 18-34 are more likely to think that “the worst of the crisis is behind us” (37%), compared to other age groups (23% of respondents aged 35-54 and 18% of respondents 55+). Similarly, the proportion of respondents who think that COVID-19 feels like it is “spreading fast,” declined from 55% in Wave 10 to 42% in Wave 11.

In addition, despite the first vaccine approvals in Canada and news of other promising vaccine candidates, which have been framed by some as “a light at the end of the tunnel,” many people continue to feel that we are in the worst of the crisis (35%) or that the worst is yet to come (27%). Other significant features (e.g., increases in reported negative mental health impacts and economic difficulties) may continue to dampen optimism for the future for many respondents regardless of vaccine announcements.

Figure. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us, we are currently experiencing the worst of the crisis, or the worst of the crisis is yet to come?

 

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  Table. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us, we are currently experiencing the worst of the crisis, or the worst of the crisis is yet to come?

   

Figure. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us?

 

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  Table. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us?

   

Figure. COVID-19 feels…

 

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  Table. COVID-19 feels…

   

Figure. COVID-19 feels…

 

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  Table. COVID-19 feels…

   

Figure. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me.

 

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  Table. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me.

   

2. Information Sources | Data Set

Trust in and use of government information sources was highest early on in the pandemic and has declined since. In Wave 11, use of and trust in government information sources about COVID-19 (e.g., federal public health leaders, daily press conferences) are at the lowest levels COSMO has observed since data collection began in April 2020 (see figure below). There was a slight increase in trust in some information sources between Waves 9 and 10, but these gains were lost by Wave 11. Trust remains the highest in Government health agencies (49%) and provincial public health leaders (46%), and federal public health leaders (44%).

Across time, respondents aged 55+ have consistently reported the highest levels of trust in most government sources, and respondents aged 18-34 are the most distrustful. Trust in government information sources also varies by province/territory. In Wave 11, trust in government information sources about COVID-19 was the highest in the Atlantic Provinces, and British Columbia and the Yukon. Trust is the lowest in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

In Wave 11, respondents were given a series of true and false statements about COVID-19 and asked to indicate the extent to which they thought the statements were accurate. The results indicate that some respondents are susceptible to believing false information, men and young people in particular. For example, 23% of respondents thought the following statement was “probably true” or “definitely true”: “To rush COVID-19 vaccines to the market, pharmaceutical companies took shortcuts that compromise their safety”.

In Wave 11 using a randomized split-sample approach, half of the sample was asked how often they attempt to correct friends or family when they hear them spreading false information (‘fake news’) related to COVID-19 in conversation. The other half of the sample was asked how often they attempt to correct friends or family when they see them spreading false information online. A majority of respondents report that they either always or sometimes attempt to correct misinformation related to COVID-19. However, results indicate that individuals might be slightly more comfortable correcting misinformation when they hear it in conversation compared to online.

Figure. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

 

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  Table. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

   

Figure. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

 

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  Table. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

   

Figure. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19? Government Health Agencies

 

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  Table. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19? Government Health Agencies

   

Figure. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19? Government Health Agencies

 

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  Table. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19? Government Health Agencies

   

Figure. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

 

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  Table. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

   

Figure. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

 

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  Table. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

   

Figure. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?

 

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  Table. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?

   

Figure. How would you rate your ability to accurately identify false information (“fake news”) in the media related to COVID-19?

 

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  Table. How would you rate your ability to accurately identify false information (“fake news”) in the media related to COVID-19?

   

Figure. Thinking about COVID-19… As far as you know, are each of the following statements true or false?

 

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  Table. Thinking about COVID-19… As far as you know, are each of the following statements true or false?

   

Figure. Do you ever share information related to COVID-19 with your social media network (e.g., a news article)?

 

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  Table. Do you ever share information related to COVID-19 with your social media network (e.g., a news article)?

   

Figure. Imagine you are about to share a news article related to COVID-19 with your social network. How likely is it that you perform the following behaviours before sharing? (among those who share COVID-19 information on social media)

 

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  Table. Imagine you are about to share a news article related to COVID-19 with your social network. How likely is it that you perform the following behaviours before sharing? (among those who share COVID-19 information on social media)

   

Figure. When you see friends or family spreading false information (‘fake news’) related to COVID-19 [online/in conversation], how often do you attempt to correct them?

 

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  Table. When you see friends or family spreading false information (‘fake news’) related to COVID-19 [online/in conversation], how often do you attempt to correct them?

   

3. Compliance with Protective Behaviours | Data Set

The majority of COSMO respondents report always or almost always complying with most public health measures such as mask wearing (85%), frequent hand washing (71%, and physical distancing (75%). In Wave 11, respondents who reported adhering to public health measures were asked what their motivations were for practicing recommended behaviours. The top motivations for following public health guidance were to protect loved ones and the community (65%), followed by protecting themselves (57%), and following the recommendations of health experts/scientists/government (49%). At the same time, respondents indicated high levels of difficulty continuing to stay separated from loved ones for much longer (as compared to maintaining other public health measures like wearing a mask in public and hand washing).

Advanced statistical modelling has identified 8 factors that account for approximately 40% of the differences seen in reported adherence to public health behaviours. Anxiety related to family’s health, trust in government sources of information, and trust in medical experts were the strongest predictors of adherence to behaviours. Perceptions that COVID is overblown was the strongest predictor of noncompliance with health behaviours.

Figure. For me, avoiding getting sick with COVID-19 in the current situation is... easy (6 or 7 out of 7).

 

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  Table. For me, avoiding getting sick with COVID-19 in the current situation is... easy (6 or 7 out of 7).

   

Figure. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?

 

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  Table. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?

   

Figure. You’ve indicated that you regularly practice one or more of the measures that are considered highly effective in preventing the spread of the virus, including washing or sanitizing your hands, staying home, physically distancing, and/or wearing a mask. We are interested in what continues to motivate you to follow this/these measure(s).

 

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  Table. You’ve indicated that you regularly practice one or more of the measures that are considered highly effective in preventing the spread of the virus, including washing or sanitizing your hands, staying home, physically distancing, and/or wearing a mask. We are interested in what continues to motivate you to follow this/these measure(s).

   

Figure. In the past two weeks, have you……

 

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  Table. In the past two weeks, have you……

   

Figure. In the past two weeks, have you……

 

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  Table. In the past two weeks, have you……

   

4. Mental Health | Data Set

Reported life satisfaction among respondents in Wave 11 was at the lowest point COSMO has observed since data collection began in April 2020. Just over a third of respondents (35%) are very satisfied/satisfied with their lives (down from 45% in Wave 1), while 24% are very dissatisfied/dissatisfied (up from 19% in Wave 1). In addition, high numbers of respondents continue to report feeling depressed (39%), lonely (39%) and anxious (45%) occasionally or most/all of the time.

Disaggregation of the data by age suggests the pandemic has been particularly difficult for respondents aged 18-34 with regard to mental health. Young people – young women in particular – are reporting higher levels of loneliness (23% of respondents aged 18-34 reported feeling lonely most or all of the time, compared to 17% of respondents aged 35-54 and 13% of respondents aged 55+), and depression (23% reported feeling depressed most or all of the time, compared to 14% of respondents aged 35-54 and 10% of respondents aged 55+). New data in Wave 11 indicates that women are more likely than men to agree or strongly agree that COVID-19 makes them feel afraid and angry. For example, 41% of women with children reported that COVID-19 makes them feel angry, compared to 27% of men with children.

Figure. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?

 

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  Table. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?

   

Figure. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

 

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  Table. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

   

Figure. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

 

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  Table. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

   

Figure. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..

 

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  Table. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..

   

Figure. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..

 

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  Table. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..

   

Figure. In the past two weeks, how often have you… felt depressed [females]

 

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  Table. In the past two weeks, how often have you… felt depressed [females]

   

5. Vaccine confidence | Data Set

COSMO asks respondents about their intentions to vaccinate across several different measures to add nuance to our growing understanding of hesitancy and its drivers. Overall vaccine intentions increased in Wave 11 and more respondents indicate that they will get a vaccine as soon as it is available to them. At the time of data collection, 4% of respondents indicated that they had already received at least one dose of a vaccine. These respondents were excluded from the vaccine intentions questions.

Using a categorical question, respondents were asked: ‘If a COVID-19 vaccine became available to you, would you get vaccinated, or not?’ with the following response options: ‘Yes, I would get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it became available to me’; ‘Yes, I would eventually get a COVID-19 vaccine, but would want to wait a bit’; ‘No, I would not get a COVID-19 vaccine’; and, ‘Not sure’. When the option to defer choice was introduced in this question, 58% of respondents indicated that they would get vaccinated right away (up from 49% in Wave 10), and 24% said that they would want to wait before getting vaccinated (down from 31% in Wave 10). Compared to Wave 10, the length of time respondents indicate they intend to wait has decreased. In Wave 11, more respondents said they would wait 1-2 months (46%; up from 39% in Wave 10) and fewer respondents said they would wait several months or longer (38%; up from 50% in Wave 10).

35% of respondents indicate that they need more information before deciding whether to get a vaccine. Compared to those who indicate they intend to get vaccinated right away (7%), the proportions of respondents who need more information are higher among those who want to wait before getting a vaccine (48%), those who are unsure (68%), and those who indicate that they would not get a vaccine (43%). Akin to previous waves, respondents indicate they need information about the safety, effectiveness, side effects, and long-term efficacy of the vaccine, as well and outcomes of early recipients of the vaccine.

Due to the potential availability of multiple vaccines each with different efficacy, respondents who indicated some level of willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine were also asked about what was most important to them when selecting a vaccine. “Receiving the most effective vaccine” (47%) was the most commonly selected option, followed by “Receiving any vaccine as soon as possible” (15%) and “Receiving the vaccine with the fewest reported side effects” (12%). Considerations about the number of doses and vaccine technologies were relatively unpopular selections. A sizable portion of respondents (14%) also indicated they do not have a strong preference on what COVID-19 vaccine they receive.

Figure. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both)?

 

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  Table. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both)?

   

Figure. Is a COVID-19 vaccine currently available for you to receive?

 

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  Table. Is a COVID-19 vaccine currently available for you to receive?

   

Figure. Please give your opinion on the following statements.

 

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  Table. Please give your opinion on the following statements.

   

Figure. Please give your opinion on the following statements.

 

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  Table. Please give your opinion on the following statements.

   

Figure. What is your top/main reason for not wanting to get a safe and/or effective COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and is recommended?

 

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  Table. What is your top/main reason for not wanting to get a safe and/or effective COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and is recommended?

   

Figure. What is most important for you with respect to selecting a COVID-19 vaccine to receive, if any?

 

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  Table. What is most important for you with respect to selecting a COVID-19 vaccine to receive, if any?

   

Figure. If a COVID-19 vaccine became available to you, would you get vaccinated, or not?

 

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  Table. If a COVID-19 vaccine became available to you, would you get vaccinated, or not?

   

Figure. If a COVID-19 vaccine became available to you, would you get vaccinated, or not?

 

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  Table. If a COVID-19 vaccine became available to you, would you get vaccinated, or not?

   

Figure. How long would you wait? (those who plan to wait)

 

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  Table. How long would you wait? (those who plan to wait)

   

Figure. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.

 

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  Table. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.

   

Figure. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.

 

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  Table. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.

   

Figure. What additional information do you need to decide whether or not you will get a COVID-19 vaccine?

 

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  Table. What additional information do you need to decide whether or not you will get a COVID-19 vaccine?

   

Figure. Once a COVID-19 is available to you, to what extent would each of the following scenarios make you more or less likely to get the vaccine right away?

 

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  Table. Once a COVID-19 is available to you, to what extent would each of the following scenarios make you more or less likely to get the vaccine right away?

   

6. Returning to Normal | Data Set

When asked about the likelihood of re-engaging in behaviors that were normal pre-pandemic, only a minority of respondents think it is likely that they will go to a large indoor gathering (22%), fly on a plane (13%), or travel to the US (10%) in the next year (see figure below). Young respondents (18-34) are more likely to say that it is likely that they will engage in these behaviours in the next year, and older respondents (55+) report that they are less likely to do so.

Figure. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...

 

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  Table. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...

   

Figure. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...

 

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  Table. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...

   

7. Travel Intentions and Border Measures | Data Set

A majority of respondents indicate that they would like to see both US restrictions (85%) and international restrictions (83%) remain in place for 1-6+ months (see figure below). Travel intentions and intentions to fly on a plane within the next year also remain low. When respondents are asked to rate their level of comfort with increasing travel with certain countries there is low comfort overall. The only country where respondents have become somewhat more comfortable with increased travel is Australia (13% in Wave 9 and 17% in Wave 11). In addition, respondents are slightly more comfortable allowing more travellers for business and study purposes, compared to personal reasons (i.e., visiting family and friends, tourism).

In Wave 11 respondents were asked to indicate whether they thought stricter travel measures (i.e., a requirement to take a COVID-19 test at the airport upon arrival, a requirement to self-isolate in designated facilities, and a requirement to show proof of COVID-19 immunization) would effectively reduce the risk of importing COVID-19 cases among Canadian and foreign travellers. A majority of respondents thought these measures would be effective/very effective or moderately effective. Additional analysis undertaken by the IIU indicates that the small minority of respondents (~5-6%) who support ending US-Canada and international travel restrictions are more likely to think that COVID-19 feels overblown, and are less likely to think that COVID-19 feels worrisome and stressful. In addition, respondents who are most supportive of ending US-Canada and international travel restrictions indicated that they practiced recommended preventative health behaviours less frequently and had lower COVID-19 vaccination intentions.

Figure. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?

 

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  Table. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?

   

Figure. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?

 

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  Table. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?

   

Figure. When is the earliest that you expect to fly?

 

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  Table. When is the earliest that you expect to fly?

   

Figure. To limit the risk of bringing new cases of the virus into the country, some requirements are in place or are being considered for people entering Canada. To what extent do you think the following requirements would be effective in reducing this risk among Canadian travellers returning to Canada from another country?

 

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  Table. To limit the risk of bringing new cases of the virus into the country, some requirements are in place or are being considered for people entering Canada. To what extent do you think the following requirements would be effective in reducing this risk among Canadian travellers returning to Canada from another country?

   

Figure. To limit the risk of bringing new cases of the virus into the country, some requirements are in place or are being considered for people entering Canada. To what extent do you think the following requirements would be effective in reducing this risk among foreign travellers entering Canada from another country?

 

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  Table. To limit the risk of bringing new cases of the virus into the country, some requirements are in place or are being considered for people entering Canada. To what extent do you think the following requirements would be effective in reducing this risk among foreign travellers entering Canada from another country?