The national Social Weather Survey of April 28–May 2, 2021 found 89% of adult Filipinos worried (70% a great deal worried, 19% somewhat worried) and 11% a little/not worried (5% a little worried, 6% not worried) that anyone in their immediate family might catch Covid-19.
The latest percentage of those worried about catching Covid-19 is 2 points below the record-high 91% in November 2020, but still higher than the 85% in September 2020 and July 2020.
Compared to past SWS surveys, worry about catching Covid-19 is much greater than worries about catching previous viruses such as Ebola, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Outlook on the Covid-19 crisis worsens
The May 2021 survey also found a worsening outlook on the Covid-19 crisis as those fearing “the worst is yet to come” with the Covid-19 crisis rose from 31% in November 2020 to 49% in May 2021. This is the highest since the 57% in July 2020.
Conversely, those saying “the worst is behind us” fell from 69% in November 2020 to 50% in May 2021.
Outlook on the Covid-19 crisis is unrelated to worry about catching Covid-19
From November 2020 to May 2021, the outlook on the Covid-19 crisis worsens both among those worried and those not worried about catching Covid-19.
The percentage of those fearing “the worst is yet to come” rose from 31% in November 2020 to 50% in May 2021 among those a great deal/somewhat worried about catching the virus.
It also rose from 22% to 39% among those a little/not worried about catching Covid-19.
Worry about catching Covid-19 stays high in all areas
The percentage of those a great deal/somewhat worried about catching Covid-19 stays highest in the Visayas (92%), followed by Mindanao (90%), Balance Luzon (88%), and Metro Manila (85%).
Compared to November 2020, worry about catching Covid-19 stayed at 85% in Metro Manila, while it barely moved from 89% in Balance Luzon.
It fell slightly from 96% in the Visayas and 95% in Mindanao.
Worry about catching Covid-19 high across education levels
Compared to September 2020, worry about catching Covid-19 fell from 91% to 81% among non-elementary graduates.
It fell slightly from 91% to 88% among elementary graduates and from 95% to 91% among college graduates.
It stayed at 91% among junior high school graduates.
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