Post on 24-Jun-2020
Public Opinion Tracking Research: 15/06/20
ABOUT THE RESEARCH
The research findings in this report are based on surveys by Amárach Research on
behalf of the Department of Health.
The polls are conducted using Amárach’s SmartPoll panel and weighted to the
demographics of the adult population.
Sample size (15/06/20): n=1,800
2
Behavioural Change
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
90%
93%
95%94% 94%
95%94%
93% 93%
95% 95%94% 94% 94% 94%
92%93%
92%93%
78%
88%
92%91%
90% 90%
88%89% 88%
87%
85%84% 84%
82%81%
80%79%
75%
73%
69%
84%
87%88%
87%
90%89%
90%
88%
90%91%
90% 90% 90%91%
89%91% 90%
89% 89%
63%
70%
76%
81% 81%82% 82%
85%
83% 83%82%
83% 83%
86%85% 85%
87%
85%
88% 88%
16/03 23/03 02/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Safe Behaviours – I Which of the following are you doing more often as a result of the Coronavirus?
Washing hands
Staying at home rather than going out
Social distancing when in a queue
Using sanitizer
4
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
79%
74%75%
77%78% 78%
77%76%
78% 78%
73%
78%
74%
77%76% 76%
78%77%
54%
66%
71%70%
72% 72%
69%
71%
66%
70% 70%
68%67%
65%
70%
65%
62%61%
60%
73%
66%65% 65%
66%
68% 68%
66%
68%
71%
63%
68%
62%
67% 68%
66%67% 67%
54%
71%
65%
59%
63%64%
65%64%
66% 67%68%
67% 67%66%
67%
69%68%
65%64%
16/03 23/03 02/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Safe Behaviours – II Which of the following are you doing more often as a result of the Coronavirus?
Coughing into elbow
Contacting older relatives and friends to see they are okay
Disposing of used tissues immediately
Sitting further apart from others
5
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
93% 93%94% 94%
93% 93%
95%94% 94% 94% 94% 94%
92% 92% 92% 92%
77%
75%76%
77%
75%76%
75%
77%
74%
77%75%
75% 75%76% 76% 76%
64% 64%
69%
67%68% 66%
67%68%
65%66%
64%
66%67%
66%65%
66%
59%
65% 65%
68%69%
70% 70%71%
72% 72%
74% 74%75%
74% 75%
77%
09/04 16/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Future Behaviours – I Which of the following will you continue after Coronavirus?
Washing hands Coughing into elbow Disposing of used tissues immediately Using sanitizer
6
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 7
58%60%
63% 62%64%
61% 62% 63%61% 62% 61% 61% 60% 60%
57%55%
48%
61%63%
68% 68%
72% 72% 73%75% 76%
73% 74% 73% 73% 74% 75%
36%
48%50%
57%55%
59% 58%
61% 62%
61%
60%61% 58%
60%59% 59%
16%
19%
24%
28% 29% 30%
33% 34%32% 32% 32% 33% 32% 32%
34% 34%
09/04 16/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Future Behaviours – II Which of the following will you continue after Coronavirus?
Contacting older relatives and friends to see they are okay Social distancing when in a queue
Sitting further apart from others when outside house or on public transport Staying at home rather than going out
16%18% 18%
20%22%
27% 28% 28% 28%
34%
04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 08/06 15/06
Face MasksDo you wear a face mask when
in public places? All Adults: % Yes
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 8
22%
34%
23% 24%22%
39%
32%
26%
41%
29% 28%30%
44%
35%
Male Female Under 35 35-44 45-54 55+ Dublin
Face Mask DemographicsDo you wear a face mask when
in public places? % Yes
08/06 15/06
84%85% 85%
84% 84%
82%
84%83%
14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Willingness to WearWould you be willing to use
a face mask or face covering?% Yes Definitely + Yes Probably
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 9
78%
86%
83%
79% 79%
85%84%
79%
83%
81%
79%
83%
87%
83%
Male Female Under 35 35-44 45-54 55+ Dublin
Willingness DemographicsWould you be willing to use
a face mask or face covering?% Yes Definitely + Yes Probably
08/06 15/06
Emotional Wellbeing
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
55%
52%
50%
39%
48%
43%
49%
45%
35%
39%
37%38% 38%
37%
34%33%
32%
28%29%
32%
40% 40%
43%
41%
46%45%
41%
48%
42%41%
40%
45%
40%
51%
49%
53%
50%49%
41%
36%
40%
32%
39%38%
41%
38%
29%
36%
32%33%
32% 32%
30%
33%
28%27%
28%
35%
38%37%
41%
38%
38%
38%
40%
36%
33%
40%
35%
40%
33%34%
32%
30% 30%
26%
26/03 30/03 02/04 06/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Emotional Wellbeing – I Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday? Select all that apply:
Worry Enjoyment Anxiety Boredom
11
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
29%
37%
34%
38%37%
36%
39%
36%
38%
34%33%
34%
36%
34%
40%39%
42%
39% 39%
41%
38%
42%
32% 32%33%
37%
40%
31%
37%
32%
37%
34%
37%
29%
34%
29%
26%
29%29%30%
31%32%
41%
30%
32% 32%33%
30%
33%
29%30%
28%
25%
23%
27%
34%
32%
28%29%
37%
33%34%
31%
28%
30%
27%28%
26%25%
23%24%
20% 20%
26/03 30/03 02/04 06/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Emotional Wellbeing – II Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday? Select all that apply:
Happiness Stress Frustration Sadness
12
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
19%18% 18%
20% 20% 20%
24% 24%23%
22%
25%
22%
25%
21%20%
22%21%
18%
21%
23%
18%
13%
19%
15%
17%
14%13% 13%
12% 12% 12%13%
10%11% 11%
9%10%
13% 13%14% 14%
12%
16%17%
16% 16%15%
16%16%
17%
14%15%
14% 14%
11% 11%12%
11%
13% 13%
15%16%
13%12%
13%
11%
13%12%
11%12%
13%
11%
8% 8%7%
8%
11%
7% 7%8%
9%
7%8% 8%
9%8%
7%
26/03 30/03 02/04 06/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06
Emotional Wellbeing – III Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday? Select all that apply:
Loneliness Fear Pain Anger Intolerance
13
Risk Perceptions
5.6
7.0
7.37.2
7.06.9 6.9
7.0
6.86.7
6.6 6.66.5
6.3
5.7
5.9
5.75.8
5.75.8
5.6 5.6
5.4
5.25.3
09/03 16/03 23/03 26/03 30/03 02/04 06/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Still Worried?How worried are you personally about the Coronavirus? On a scale of 1 to 10
where 1 is not at all worried and 10 is extremely worried: Average Score
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 15
4.14.0 4.0
3.9 3.9 3.9
3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8
3.7 3.7
3.6
3.7
3.6 3.6 3.6
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.4
3.1
3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9
2.8 2.8
2.7
2.8
2.7
2.8 2.8
2.7
2.6 2.6 2.6
3.43.3 3.3
3.2 3.2
3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3
3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2
3.1
2.9
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.9 2.9 2.9
3.1
3.0
3.1 3.1 3.1
3.0
3.1 3.1 3.1
3.0
3.1
3.0 3.0
2.9
2.8 2.8
26/03 30/03 02/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Sources of Worry – I Please indicate the extent to which any of the following is a current source of worry?
On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is not at all and 5 is a great deal: Average Score
Health of Family & Friends Personal Health Prolonged Restrictions Reduced Social Contact
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 16
3.8
3.6
3.7 3.7 3.7
3.8
3.7
3.8 3.8
3.9
3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8
3.7 3.7
3.23.1 3.1
3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
3.1
3.0
3.1
3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
3.1
3.0 3.0 3.0
2.9
3.0
2.72.6 2.6
2.5 2.5
2.6
2.7
2.6 2.6 2.6
2.5
2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6
2.4
2.5
26/03 30/03 02/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Sources of Worry – II Please indicate the extent to which any of the following is a current source of worry?
On a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is not at all and 5 is a great deal: Average Score
The Economy Personal Finance Employment Status
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 17
0% 1%3%
14%
10%13%
16%
36%
32%
43% 42%
46%44%
49% 49%
55%
62%
57%
11%
33%
37%
52% 52% 51%49%
38% 40%
29%
25%
21% 20%17%
16% 13%10%
8%
85%
62%
55%
26%29%
26% 25%
16% 16% 17%19%
16%
21% 19%
18%16%
13%16%
4% 5% 6%9% 8% 9% 10% 10%
12% 12%14%
17% 16%
15%
18%
16%16%
18%
16/03 09/04 13/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Pandemic StageDo you feel that the worst of the Coronavirus crisis in Ireland is:
Behind us Happening now Ahead of us Don't know
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 18
86%
84%
88%
83%
87% 87%
88%
87%
82%
91%
82%
88%
90%
88%
87%
85%
88%
82%
86%
92%
90%
88%
87%
89%
85%
88%
91% 91%
89%
88%
91%
84%
90% 90%
93%
89%
87%
91%
84%
89%
88%
91%
All Adults Male Female Under 35 35-44 45-54 55+
Preventing SpreadHow would you rate your knowledge level on how to prevent spread of
the coronavirus? From 1 = ‘very poor knowledge’ to 9 = ‘very good knowledge’% scoring 6-9 combined
21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 19
90%
88%
92%
85%
91%
93%
94%
90%
87%
94%
89% 89%
93%
92%
91%
88%
93%
87%
90%
95%
90%90% 90%
91%
85%
91%
92%
94%
92%
90%
94%
87%
91%
93%
96%
92%
90%
93%
88%
92%
91%
94%
All Adults Male Female Under 35 35-44 45-54 55+
Self ProtectionI know how to protect myself from coronavirus…
From 1 = ‘not at all’ to 9 = ‘very much so’% scoring 6-9 combined
21/05 25/05 28/05Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 20
61%63%
59%
54%
61%
25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
A Second WaveHow likely do you think it is that Ireland will experience a second wave of COVID-19
infections? On a scale of 1 to 7 where 1 is ‘very unlikely’ and 7 is ‘very likely’: % 5-7
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 21
54%51%
57%
52%55%
57%54%
60%61% 60%64%
59%63%
61% 62%64%
All Adults Male Female Under 35 35-44 45-54 55+ Dublin
A Second WaveDemographics: % 5-7
08/06 15/06
Policy Preferences
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
57%
27%
10% 10%12% 12% 13%
10% 10%14%
12%10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%
8% 8%10%
7% 10%
43%
73%
89% 89%86% 87% 86% 87% 88%
84% 84%86% 85% 85% 86% 86%
84%81% 81%
77%80%
77%
0% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 3% 2% 2%4% 4% 5% 5% 4% 5% 6%
11% 12% 13% 13% 13%
23/03 26/03 30/03 02/04 06/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Social DistancingDo you think the current government measures on social distancing are:
Too weak About right Too strong
23
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
10%
19%
29%31% 30%
25%
21% 21% 22% 21%
17% 17%15%
13% 14% 15%17% 18%
15% 14% 14%12%
14%
8%
26%
43%40% 40%
38%
51% 52%
57%55% 54% 55%
64% 65% 64% 63% 63%60%
67% 67% 67%
72%
67%
82%
55%
28%29%
29%
38%
28% 27%
22%24%
29% 28%
21% 22% 22% 21% 20%22%
18% 19% 19%16%
20%
23/03 26/03 30/03 02/04 06/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Go Further?Do you think there should be more restrictions?
Don't know No Yes24
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 3% 2% 3% 3% 3% 3%6% 5% 6%
8%5% 6% 7%
10% 9%12%
7% 7%
56%
72%
84%87%
83% 84% 83% 82%84% 83%
81%77%
82% 81%79%
82% 83%81% 81% 80%
76%
82% 81%
43%
27%
15%12%
15%13%
15% 15%13% 14%
16% 17%13% 13% 12% 12% 11% 12%
10% 10%
11%11% 12%
23/03 26/03 30/03 02/04 06/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Going Too Far?Do you think the reaction of the government to the current coronavirus outbreak is
appropriate too extreme or not sufficient?
Too Extreme Appropriate Insufficient
25
4%
20%
56%
17%
4%5%
16%
58%
18%
3%6%
17%
54%
19%
4%5%
22%
60%
10%
3%
7%
25%
56%
9%
3%
Much too quickly A bit too quickly At about the right pace A bit too slowly Much too slowly
Returning to NormalOn balance, do you think that Ireland is trying to return to normal:
25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 26
Information & Communications
66% 65%67% 68% 68%
72% 73%71%
73% 72% 71%74%
71% 72% 73% 73% 72% 73%
54%57%
55%52% 51%
55%
51%53%
51%48%
46%49% 48% 48%
46% 47% 48% 47%
32% 31% 32%
28%30%
26% 26% 25% 24% 23% 23% 23% 24% 25% 24%22% 22% 22%
4% 5% 4% 3% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 4% 4% 3% 4%
17%
12% 13% 14% 14%11%
14%12% 12%
11%12%
10%
14%12% 11% 11% 12% 11%
21% 20%18% 17% 16% 15% 14% 13% 14% 13%
15% 14%16%
14% 14% 14% 14% 14%
09/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Covid-19 Information SourcesWhere are you currently getting trusted information on Covid-19 from?
Department of Health HSE website WHO World Health Organisation
ECDC International sources Other specialist source
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 28
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health
5%7% 8% 9%
14%
17%19% 22%
23% 24% 25% 26%28% 29% 28%
31% 31%
34%
37%
40% 41% 40%
51%
55%
49%
56%
60%58% 58% 57% 56% 56% 55% 56%
54% 55% 55%53% 53% 52%
49% 48% 47%
50%
44%
38%
43%
35%
26%24% 23% 21%
21% 20% 20%18% 18%
16% 16% 15% 16%14% 14%
12% 12%10%
23/03 26/03 30/03 02/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Media ConsumptionHow often are you checking the news about Coronavirus (on TV, radio the internet apps etc)?
Less than once a day 1-3 times a day 4 or more times a day
29
87% 88%
93% 92%89% 89% 89%
91% 90% 89% 90% 90% 90% 89% 90% 90% 89% 88% 89% 88%
17%
24%
37%34%
38%36%
38% 39%41%
39% 40% 39% 40% 41%
36%38%
40% 39% 39% 38%
23% 23%
27%25% 24%
22%
25% 24% 23%
24%
23%24%
22%
24%
22%
25% 25%
22% 23% 24%24% 24% 25% 25% 24% 25%
21%
25%
22%
22%
24%23% 23% 22% 22% 21% 21%
21%23% 22%
18% 19%
23%21% 20%
22%20% 19%
17%
21% 20% 21%22%
19% 20% 19% 19% 19%
18% 16%17% 16% 17%
13%
10%
13% 13% 13% 14% 14% 13% 13%11%
13% 13% 13% 13%11% 11% 12%
23/03 02/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
News Sources – I What are the main media sources through which you access information on the
Coronavirus: % Any Mentions (in top 3)
RTE Virgin Media Irish Times Irish Independent BBC Sky News Family and friends
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 30
18%
14%
11%
13% 13% 13%
12% 12%
13% 13% 13% 13%
14%
13%
15%
14%
13%
14%
15% 15%
12%
9% 9%
7%
9%
8% 8% 8%
9%
8%
9%
8% 8%
9%
8%
10%
8%
11%
10% 10%
4% 4%
3%
2% 2%
3% 3%
2% 2%
3%
2%
3%
2%
3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3%
2%
4% 4%
2% 2%
3%
2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%
3%
2% 2% 2% 2% 2%
3%
4%
2% 2%
1% 1% 1%
2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%
1% 2%2%
3%
2%2%
3%
2%2%
8% 8%
10%
8% 8%
7%
8% 8%
7% 7% 7%
6% 6%
7% 7% 7% 7%
6% 6%
7%
23/03 02/04 09/04 13/04 16/04 20/04 23/04 27/04 30/04 04/05 07/05 11/05 14/05 18/05 21/05 25/05 28/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
News Sources – II What are the main media sources through which you access information
on the Coronavirus: % Any Mentions (in top 3)
Facebook Twitter Colleagues at work WhatsApp Instagram Other
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 31
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 32
64%
53%
41%39%
35%33%
30%
63%
53%
39% 40%
36%
31%28%
60%
48%
35% 35% 36%
24%
28%
58%
47%
33%36% 37%
23%
28%
57%
44%
31%34%
38%
22%
27%
Scientificprogress in
development ofa vaccine ortreatment forcoronavirus
How I canprotect myselfand my family
againstcoronavirus
How I will beimpacted
economically bythe pandemic
Informationabout
authoritiesdecisions
The pandemicevolution in
Ireland
How to maintainmy mental
health duringthe isolation
Symptoms ofcoronavirus
Knowledge Gaps – I What information do you need the most about coronavirus?
21/05 25/05 02/06 08/06 15/06
Source: Amárach Public Opinion Tracker for Department of Health 33
25% 25% 25%
22%
18%
14%
2%
24%26%
21%
17%15%
16%
1%
21%
29%
17%16%
13%15%
2%
21%
29%
18%17%
14% 14%
1%
20%
31%
14%15%
14% 14%
1%
How I can takecare of a personwho belongs to
a risk group
The pandemicevolution in the
world
How to maintainmy social
contact despitethe physicaldistancing
How thecoronavirus isdifferent from
other diseasessuch as flu
How I can besttake care of mychildrens school
education
Personal storiesfrom other
people on howthey cope withthe pandemic
situation
Other
Knowledge Gaps – II What information do you need the most about coronavirus?
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