Only 19% of Americans Are Self-Isolating

The results of a digital survey of Americans focused on the COVID-19 disease found about 95% of people said they had made lifestyle changes because of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic.

Unfortunately, the data published in JAMA Internal Medicine on April 7, 2020, reported only 19.2% of respondents said they were self-isolating all of the time, while 49.8% said they were self-isolating most of the time.

The good news from this survey includes increased handwashing (93.1%), avoiding social gatherings (89.0%), and stockpiling food and supplies (74.7%).

In this convenience sample survey distributed via 3 social media platforms in mid-March 2020, there were 9,009 participants who reported serious concerns about COVID-19 and that they were preparing by washing hands, remaining homebound, and practicing social distancing. 

There was variation in the levels of concern about COVID-19 in different age groups.

The top concerns participants reported were getting sick because of COVID-19 (70.1%) and not being able to get medical care (46.3%). 

The most common difficulties reported were obtaining hand sanitizer, food, and childcare. 

Among 6,689 respondents, 14.7% reported reduced wages or work hours, and 1.5% reported having lost their jobs because of the crisis. 

If their physician was not available in person, 53.7% respondents indicated that they would choose to be seen via a remote televisit.

Although this survey did not collect information on the socioeconomic status of participants, it was likely to have been higher than average, because few reported concerns about their employment.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr. Linos reports receiving grants from the National Institutes of Health (DP2CA225433 and K24AR075060). No other disclosures are reported.

SARS-CoV-2 outbreak news published by Coronavirus Today.