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Americans have boosted their efforts to avoid the novel coronavirus by adhering to health guidelines and staying away from others, a new survey has found.
The latest AP-NORC poll, published on Monday, found that more U.S. adults were staying away from large groups and avoiding touching their faces at the end of March than in the middle of the month.
It also revealed that a greater number of Americans were stocking up on extra food and washing their hands more frequently.
The survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults conducted between March 26 and March 29 found that 94 percent were staying away from large groups, an increase of 26 points on an earlier poll taken between March 12 and March 16.
A little over nine in ten (92 percent) said they were washing their hands more frequently at the end of the month—up four points on earlier weeks.
Seventy percent also reported avoiding touching their face (an increase of 11 points), while little more than a third said they were stocking up on extra food and cleaning supplies.
A further 86 percent of poll respondents said they were avoiding other people as much as possible amid an increase in confirmed cases, nationwide shutdowns and several states issuing stay at home orders.
The White House published guidelines in March telling Americans how they could best avoid spreading the novel coronavirus.
The guidelines asked anyone belonging to an at-risk group, as well those who felt sick, to stay at home entirely. Officials also told Americans to work or study at home where possible and avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also advised the public to clean their hands often, avoid close contact with others and to clean and regularly disinfect touched surfaces.
As Americans have increasingly followed public health guidelines amid the ongoing panic, they have also become more worried about them and their family getting infected with the novel coronavirus.
According to the AP-NORC poll, half of U.S. adults are extremely or very worried about catching COVID-19, while 34 percent are "somewhat" worried and 16 percent are not worried.
When pollsters put the question to Americans in mid-March, a little less than a third said they were very worried about catching the coronavirus, and just 35 percent said they were "somewhat" worried about the prospect.
AP-NORC pollsters said its latest survey results have a 4.1 percentage point margin of error.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen sharply in the United States since mid-March. According to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, more than 368,000 cases of infection have been reported thus far.
A total of 19,919 American cases have ended in total recovery while 10,993 have died as a result of the novel coronavirus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advice on Using Face Coverings to Slow Spread of COVID-19
- CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering in public where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- A simple cloth face covering can help slow the spread of the virus by those infected and by those who do not exhibit symptoms.
- Cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items. Guides are offered by the CDC. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html)
- Cloth face coverings should be washed regularly. A washing machine will suffice.
- Practice safe removal of face coverings by not touching eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash hands immediately after removing the covering.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people.
- If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance.
- Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask and glove usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
- Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.
- The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.
