COVID-19 Survey in the Municipality of Anchorage, June 16-18: Highlights

Abstract

An online survey of a panel of 295 Anchorage residents 18 years old and older was conducted June 16-18, 2020. This was the fourth survey since May 2020 conducted by the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) regarding COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The first survey in the series was a population-based cell phone survey of Anchorage residents conducted May 6-10. The second (May 20-22) third (June 2-4) and fourth (June 16-18) surveys were conducted online with a panel of participants from the first survey. Key findings from the fourth survey included:  Most respondents (72%) wore a mask most or all of the time outside their home.  Most (90%) spent time outside their home the day before the survey.  Most (64%) supported mandating wearing masks either “now” or “later.”  Almost half (47%) had physical contact with someone not in their household.  Most (76%) came within six feet of someone not from their household.  Most (91%) felt somewhat knowledgeable or very knowledgeable about MOA COVID-19 emergency orders.  COVID-19 related risk behaviors increased among those who: o Had less than a college degree o Were younger (<45 years) o Had lower perceived threat of COVID-19 o Were less likely to bring a mask when they went out o Were less likely to wash or sanitize hands when touching things touched by others. Compared with previous surveys, more respondents are leaving their homes and coming into physical contact with others. However, most survey respondents also reported wearing masks outside their home, supported a mandate to wear masks, and did not have physical contact with others. KEY MESSAGES As a whole, panel respondents reported positive COVID-19 mitigation behaviors. Messaging could continue to employ the need for personal responsibility to reduce risk, while emphasizing community/societal responsibility and benefit. Integrated communications with key education partners (ASD, UAA, APU, etc.) could also help reach groups associated with COVID-19 related risk behaviors. To encourage increased receptiveness to mitigation behaviors, messaging could try to incorporate affinity group imagery and rhetorical framing.