(Talk1370.com) -- Delivery services, tele-medicine, even restaurant takeout - the coronavirus pandemic has made these services a new lifeline as many Americans were spending most of their time at home.
A new Gallup survey shows how quickly Americans have adjusted to these lower-contact services.
Curbside pickup and restaurant takeout have been the biggest beneficiaries, according to the survey. 19% of those surveyed in late March said they were using curbside pickup "more often" than a month ago; that jumped to 36% in mid-May. Restaurant takeout saw a similar jump, with 44% of respondents ordering food-to-go more often in mid-May, compared to 26% in late March.
Tele-medicine and food delivery have seen bumps as well. 27% of respondents say they've had a virtual visit with a doctor in mid-May, compared to 12% in late March. Food delivery saw a similar jump, with 23% saying they were using delivery "more often" in mid-May compared to 13% in late March.
Grocery and medicine delivery services haven't seen quite the same adoption. 14% of the survey's respondents say they've used grocery delivery "more often" in mid-May, compared to 11% in late March; only 9% said they had medicine or medical supplies delivered in mid-May, compared to 4% in late March.
While all age groups showed growth with curbside pickup, restaurant takeout, tele-medicine, and food delivery, those in the 18-44 age group saw the largest growth. The growth also applies across income groups, although households with annual incomes of at least $90,000 are more likely than those with lower incomes to report using these services more often.
It remains to be seen if these lower-contact services will become a part of the "new normal," as states continue to re-open businesses.
The data comes from an online probability-based Gallup Panel survey conducted May 11-17, with previous tracking done March 23 through April 19.
