Brits start to take coronavirus threat more seriously

As the number of coronavirus cases and deaths continue to increase in the UK and the government enforces new far-reaching restrictions on social contact, people in Great Britain now seem to be taking the threat of the virus outbreak in the country more seriously. As with most things associated with the pandemic, this shift in collective opinion has happened quickly.

Comparing YouGov survey data one week apart (13 March to 20 March), the share of respondents saying they think the coronavirus will have an impact with long lasting damage in a range of economic-related areas has increased significantly – as has the fear of contracting COVID-19 (not shown here). Where the public is currently most in agreement is the apparent inevitability of a negative impact on the economy as a whole, as well as on job availability and unemployment.