- 83% of Americans say they're concerned about new strains that may be more transmissible — with about one-third of that group saying they're "extremely" concerned.
- Only 26% expect life to return to pre-COVID normal in the next six months; 30% predict it will be more than a year; and 8% say "never."
Why it matters: The findings suggest that Americans across partisan lines are increasingly attuned to the science around the virus — and that they don't expect vaccines or the new administration under President Biden to bring instant fixes.
- Six in 10 say they have watched or read news coverage about vaccinations in their community.
What they're saying: "I’m reading this as, 'What is Biden’s window to get this under control?'" said pollster Chris Jackson, senior vice president for Ipsos Public Affairs.
- Jackson said he'd expected to find three-to-six-month windows of patience, but that Americans seem to be prepared for a longer slog. "At least at the moment, people aren’t really expecting it to get under control until six months to a year from now."
What we're watching: Since late August — the last time we asked this question — Americans have grown more comfortable with the idea of schools re-opening in their communities.
- 59% saying they have some level of concern, down from 74%, and only one-third now feel extremely or very concerned, down from half.
- There are still big partisan differences, with Democrats about twice as worried as Republicans.
By the numbers: A small but significant share of Americans — 15% — who skew older and Democratic say they're wearing two masks at once, either sometimes or all of the time, when they leave home.
- When it comes to life returning to pre-COVID "normal," Republicans are the most likely by far to expect it within six months. But optimists are a minority even in the GOP: 84% of Democrats, 73% of independents and 63% of Republicans say a return to normal will take longer.
- Concerns about new strains of coronavirus are far more bipartisan: 95% of Democrats, 82% of independents and 71% of Republicans.
Methodology: This Axios/Ipsos Poll was conducted Jan. 29-Feb. 1 by Ipsos' KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,038 general population adults age 18 or older.
- The margin of sampling error is ±3.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the entire sample of adults.
