UPDATED: 1:25 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Americans are more worried about getting sick from the coronavirus than they are about other factors such as having enough money to pay the bills, passing the disease and empty shelves at the grocery stores, according to a new poll.
The SurveyUSA poll conducted earlier this week says the average American now believes they have a 31% chance of getting sick from COVID-19.
Founder Jay Leve said that figure has increased over the last four weeks.
"Americans told us about 23% on average thought they were going to get the disease," he said. "Then that went to 27%. Then that went to 29%. This week to 31%."
"The more they find out how it's transmitted, the more they see news coverage of it spreading, the more that a broader cross-section of Americans realizethat they may be susceptible," Leve added.
The survey also revealed that three out of four people nationwide are concerned that if they do get sick, the hospital won't have a bed for them.
"The number of people, for example, who told us they were calm three weeks ago is much smaller today and the number of people who tell us they are anxious compared to three weeks ago is much greater because each new day of uncertainty makes it more and more difficult to remain calm," Leve explained.
The survey also showed that Americans are heeding warnings and trying to protect themselves by wearing face masks, gloves, and in some cases, even goggles.
And how do Americans feel about the culture shock of stay-at-home orders and most things being shut down?
At least 80% of the people who responded to another SurveyUSA questionnaire said "flattening the curve" is more important than getting people back to work and personal freedom.
As for the federal response to the pandemic, 59% feel it has been appropriate, 27% say inadequate and 9% say it's an over-reaction.
57% of respondents feel what's being done is saving lives compared to 28% of people who say it's causing more problems.
And more than 90% of people agree that schools, nail salons and bars should be closed. 81% feel churches and places of worship should not have in-person services.
A little more than 20% say golf courses and gun shops should be allowed to operate.
KYW's Mike Dougherty contributed to this story.
