How is Pittsburgh holding up during the coronavirus crisis?
Campos Research just revealed the results of a recent survey. While some results are no surprise — 84% of those surveyed are at least somewhat concerned while 41% are extremely concerned about the coronavirus — other results bear some interesting differences. Women are more concerned than men, for instance, and Democrats are more concerned than Republicans.
A whopping 19 percent of respondents have been forced to stop working, 17% of whom have lost their jobs temporarily or permanently. (The other 2% are on paid leave.)
“We knew that number would be high, but we were taken aback by just how high it was,” says Kate Murphy, president of Campos Research. “By contrast, a national survey last week found that 10% of Americans have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Our survey results underscore the tremendous impact anti-coronavirus measures have had on residents of Allegheny County. Despite this, the vast majority of respondents say Governor Wolf, Allegheny County officials, and City of Pittsburgh officials have been effective in addressing the pandemic.”
For those who are working from home (35 percent), productivity has taken a dive. Many workers feel they are less or much less productive (42 percent), and only 20% say they are more or much more productive. This loss in productivity is likely to slow down our economic engine, says the report.
Who do Pittsburghers think have been effective or very effective in addressing the pandemic? In order, Pittsburghers believe medical researchers (86 percent), public health agencies (74 percent) and Governor Wolf (72 percent) have been the most effective. “Our local colleges and universities are amazing sources of innovation and solutions,” says Campos. “We’ve got the right people with the right skills doing their best. This is the time for them to keep stepping up publicly and show the country and the world how great Pittsburgh is.”
Our stay at home life
Confined to home, Pittsburghers are cooking more (73%) and have greatly reduced consumption of food from restaurants, including takeout.
Work has been greatly impacted.
Groups are divided
Among the various groups who took the survey, Democrats are more worried overall and more concerned about the impact on their household than Republicans. And women are more worried and fearful than men and more concerned about the impact on their household.
Men are generally more optimistic and hopeful, less confident in Governor Wolf addressing C19 and more confident in President Trump and pharmaceutical companies addressing C19.
Lower-income households are less confident in institutions and elected officials in addressing C19 than higher-income households.
See the full survey results here.
