A new poll shows Americans’ confidence that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is over is decreasing as the highly contagious delta variant continues to surge.
According to the study from the Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis at Long Island University, just 23% of Americans are confident that the worst of the pandemic is behind us as we enter the fall.
The number had dropped significantly from the 53% that agreed with the sentiment at the beginning of the summer.
The poll found that respondents younger than 30 were more likely to say the worst is over at 27% as compared to just 18% of respondents over the age of 60.
Men were also more likely to agree at a higher rate than women, while Republicans held the highest confidence level at 36%.
As Americans' faith in overcoming the pandemic faltered, so did concerns about contracting the virus, the poll found.
According to data from the survey, 72% of Americans are still concerned about a family member contracting COVID-19 and 73% of Americans are worried about a family member specifically contracting the delta variant.
A majority of those polled also said they were worried about somebody in their family who has been vaccinated becoming seriously ill from a breakthrough infection.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 64% of all Americans over the age of 18 are now fully vaccinated against the virus.
The university poll asked respondents if they supported vaccinations for children between the ages of 12 and 18, and found 72% were in support.
Additionally, nearly 75% of Americans also support wearing masks in schools and in public places to reduce the spread of the virus.
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