As the coronavirus outbreak worsens in the U.S., dozens of American college students have tested positive for COVID-19 and at least one has died. Students around the country are now taking the pandemic seriously.
A new survey of 1,500 undergraduates finds that an overwhelming majority (93%) are concerned about the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, compared to 50% in late February. The steep increase has followed escalations by state and local governments asking residents to socially distance and then stay home altogether.
9 in 10 Students are Worried About COVID-19
How concerned are you about the spread of the coronavirus outbreak that originated in China?
People in 41 states have been ordered to stay home as much as possible in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, and a majority of students nationwide are now socially distancing to some degree. Almost 2 in 10 (17%) students say they are going out occasionally, while 55% are only going out for necessities and 17% are not going out at all. By comparison, 34% of students were venturing out occasionally two weeks ago, while 41% were only leaving home for necessities and 7% were not leaving.
9 in 10 Students are Social Distancing to Some Degree
What’s your day-to-day life look like right now?
Despite a previous gender gap in coronavirus fears narrowing since last week, a significant disparity in precautionary measures remains. A strong majority of both female (95%) and male students (89%) are concerned about the pandemic. But female students are far more likely than male students to say they are only going out for necessities (60% vs. 47%).
Students across lines of gender and political leaning approve of the first federal stimulus package signed by the president in March. An overwhelming majority (87%) of students support the $2 trillion package that will send $1,200 to most taxpayers, expand unemployment, and bail out hurting companies.
Half (50%) of students say a $1,200 check would cover 100% of their monthly expenses, while more than one-quarter (27%) say it would cover 50% or less of their monthly bills. However, male students are more likely to say $1,200 would cover all of their expenses for a month (56% vs. 45%).
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Methodology: This survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse. Interviews were conducted among a sample of 1,500 full-time and part-time students attending four-year colleges or universities in the U.S. who are part of College Pulse’s American College Student Panel.
