Is COVID-19 Still a Holiday Concern? What Americans Think
Guess what? Being concerned about spreading COVID-19 is apparently passé. As we gear up for the fourth holiday season amidst the pandemic, it seems like most folks in the U.S. are chilling out when it comes to COVID spread and prevention during the festive times. Yep, a fresh study just spilled the beans on this new vibe.
The Latest Vaccine: Who’s Rolling Up Their Sleeves?
So, here’s the scoop: A bunch of people haven’t snagged the latest vaccine shot. This little tidbit comes from the KFF’s newest COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor survey. And, well, it might just be a sign of the times with that chilled-out concern we talked about.
About half of the adults they chatted with said, “Nope, not planning on getting that newfangled COVID vaccine this fall.” And get this, three out of 10 of those folks had already gotten jabbed before. Only a quarter are saying, “Yeah, I’ll get the latest jab,” but just two in 10 have actually done it.
Who’s leading the vaccine pack? Democrats and the 65-plus crowd, that’s who. But here’s a kicker: 52% of previously vaccinated peeps confessed they’re skipping the latest shot because they’re just not sweating COVID-19 anymore.
Vaccine Priority: Not So Much?
The KFF study also found that getting jabbed has slipped down the to-do list. A whole 37% of folks said they’re too slammed with life or they’re playing the waiting game to get the vaccine.
And when it comes to holiday concern, only about three in 10 are worried about gifting COVID to their pals and fam or getting seriously sick with the virus themselves.
COVID During the Holidays: To Worry or Not to Worry?
Now, here’s a twist: Just over a quarter of Americans are fretting they’ll snag COVID during the holiday shindigs. But, 46% are getting antsy about a possible uptick in hospital stays.
As for playing it safe, the crowd’s split. Half of the adults are like, “Yeah, let’s try to keep the bug at bay,” with plans to dodge big parties, mask up, or test for COVID before hugging it out with friends and fam. The other half? They’re just winging it with zero precautions.
Survey Says: A Peek at the Public Pulse
Where’s all this info coming from? The KFF report, my friends. They chatted with around 1,400 adults from all over the place, online and on the horn, between the spooky end of October and early November. And they’re not just some random folks; they’re a legit group based in San Francisco.
Expert Insights: A Doc Chimes In
Dr. Nicole Saphier, a Gitty Gazette News contributor, weighed in on the survey results. She’s noticed that concern about COVID during the holidays has definitely morphed over the last few years.
“As we enter this holiday season, the majority of people have already had at least one COVID infection, most of which likely only experienced mild to moderate symptoms,” she explained.
Dr. Saphier reminded us that back in the day (like, 2020), the big scare was the mystery of it all. That’s what had everyone on high alert. But then, vaccines and boosters popped up, especially for the high-risk crowd. And when it turned out they weren’t a golden ticket to stop the spread or dodge infection, the less-at-risk gang started questioning if the jab was worth it.
And let’s not forget, every holiday season has its own set of viral villains, like the flu and RSV, ready to crash the party. So, COVID has kind of lost its solo spotlight and joined the ranks of other pesky viruses.
“COVID is no longer the outlier, [but] rather just another virus among the masses,” Dr. Saphier added.
So there you have it, folks. Whether you’re decking the halls or just chilling with a cup of cocoa, it looks like COVID-19 concern isn’t topping the holiday worry list this year. Stay safe, stay jolly, and here’s to hoping your holidays are as smooth as eggnog!
