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

Abstract

A population-based cell phone survey on COVID-19 was conducted among Anchorage residents (N = 600) from July 16 to July 18, 2020. This was the second population-based cell phone survey conducted in the Municipality on COVID-19; the first one (N = 996) was conducted May 6-10, 2020. Between the first and second population-based cell phone surveys, four online surveys were conducted every two weeks with a panel of respondents from the first cell-phone survey. In total, six surveys have been done in Anchorage so far. Key findings from the most recent survey are as follows:  Most of the respondents reported practicing physical distancing and good hygiene. o Most (74%) did not have any visitors in their home the day before the survey. o Most (74%) did not have physical contact of any kind with someone who didn’t live with them. o While most (66%) reported not going to or attending events indoors (i.e., church, bar, restaurant, house party) last weekend, this distancing behavior was abided by less than the previous ones listed above. o Most (79%) reported wearing their mask all or most of the time when they were outside their home. o Most (68%) reported wearing a mask all or most of the time when they were within six feet of someone not from their household. o Most (76%) reported washing or sanitizing their hands every time or most of the time after touching things that people outside their household may have touched.  Most reported not being worried or only slightly worried about: transportation (88%), having enough to eat (84%), losing employment (78%), household finances (71%), and not being able to connect with friends and family (62%).  Most reported being worried or very worried about: sending children back to school (64%), other friends and family members being infected by coronavirus (56%), and themselves or members of their household being infected by coronavirus (52%).  Most (75%) felt that the Municipality’s response to the outbreak has been good or very good  Most (84%) felt that the Municipality’s policies related to coronavirus have been clear or very clear  Most (92%) strongly support or mildly support the Municipality’s mask mandate.  Most (53%) reported that they are often or sometimes confused by information on COVID-19. COVID-19 RELATED RISK BEHAVIORS increased among those who: o Had lower perceived threat of COVID-19  Those who had significantly lower perceived threat of COVID-19 included men and those with lower perceived susceptibility to COVID-19.  Those with lower perceived susceptibility included men and whites. o Reported lower perceived benefits of wearing a mask