To mask or not to mask? .It’s one of the questions posed to 1,500 Canadian adults from October 22-26 in a new report based on an Abacus Data Inc. poll..“In recent weeks, many Canadian healthcare workers, experts, and members of the public have been calling on provincial governments to bring back mask mandates,” says the report’s co-author, Bruce Anderson..“While Canada’s chief public health officer Theresa Tam said masking is still recommended, the decision on whether or not to implement a mask mandate is being left to provincial authorities.”.“Without a mask mandate in place, the decision to wear a mask indoors and in crowded areas is ultimately left to the individual,” says co-author David Coletto “But, how many of us are actually willing to follow these recommendations?” .“In our latest COVID 19 update we asked Canadians how they would react if their province recommended wearing a mask in public this fall. As it turns out, 59% of Canadians would support and follow that guidance, while 28% say they would follow the recommendation, but be unhappy about it.” .“Furthermore, 13% say they would dislike the decision and ignore it altogether.”. How will you react to a mask mandateHow will you react to a mask mandate .More information from Anderson and Coletto:.Worry level low but notching upward .Five percent are “extremely worried” or “worried a lot” about COVID 19, which is only a marginal change from our last wave, but 29% say their level of concern increased recently, which is up 10 points. The degree of worry hasn’t intensified, but awareness of growing risk is up.. Worry level low but notching upwardWorry level low but notching upward .Infection rates and symptom reports unchanged.A total of 44% say they are sure they had or probably had COVID 19, up four points. Seventy percent of those who believe they were infected say their symptoms were “uncomfortable, but not bad” or had hardly any symptoms. Older people and those with more doses of vaccine reported less severe symptoms.. Infection rates and symptom reports unchangedInfection rates and symptom reports unchanged .Large majority expect mild or disappearing COVID 19.Just 11% anticipate there will be a lot of severe illness and hospitalizations from COVID 19 this fall, unchanged over the month. The majority expects a lot of cases, but mild symptoms (66%) or that “fewer and fewer will get COVID 19 and eventually it will disappear” (23%).. Large majority expect mild or disappearing COVID 19Large majority expect mild or disappearing COVID 19 .Most want government to be vigilant but restrained.Most (52%) want governments to be prepared to introduce measures if things worsen, “but not to push too hard”. About a quarter (28%) say under no circumstances should government put in mask, vaccine or other rules. .One in five (20%) say government should take all possible measures to reduce the spread of the disease. These numbers are relatively stable.. Most want government to be vigilant but restrainedMost want government to be vigilant but restrained .Rising numbers getting boosted, but hesitancy still elevated.While 90% of the adults surveyed had some vaccination against COVID 19, not all are willing to take a booster this fall. We've seen a significant uptick in the number who report they either already have or will take a booster this fall (52%) and 16% say they will not take one. .The total persuadable, but hesitant group is now 32%..Two out of three (69%) think it is certain or probable the high vaccination rate for COVID 19 in Canada helped save lives compared to what would have happened if fewer people had been vaccinated. Another 18% say this may be the case, while 13% are doubtful or reject the value of the vaccinations.. Have you had COVIDHave you had COVID .“Anxiety levels of COVID 19 are up slightly, but people remain broadly of the view the severity will be moderate and hospitalizations relatively few,” says Anderson..“While more people are taking the recommended fall boosters, a significant proportion of those who have been vaccinated in the past is holding off getting another shot.”.Colletto added: “People are not wanting governments to abandon vigilance, but they do want public policy that errs on the side of restraint when it comes to additional actions, unless and until they become more aware and worried about what is happening with the virus.”
