Record 91% of Pinoys worried about catching COVID-19 —SWS survey

More than nine out of 10 Filipinos are worried about catching COVID-19 or having a loved one become infected with the viral disease, a Social Weather Stations survey showed.

The survey, taken from November 21 to 25, found that a record 91% of Filipinos—consisting of 77% who were "worried a great deal" and 14% who were "somewhat worried"—were concerned that they or anyone in their immediate family may get the virus.

Three percent were "worried a little," while 5% were "not worried" about becoming infected.

The percentage is six points higher than the 85% in the last survey, taken in September (63% were "worried a great deal" and 22% were "somewhat worried"), and four points up from the previous record of 87% (73% "worried a great deal" and 14% "somewhat worried") in May.

The worry is highest in the Visayas (96%), followed by Mindanao (95%), Balance Luzon (89%), and Metro Manila (85%)—all up from before, with the first three being record highs in their categories.

Among women, worry rose from 84% in September to a record 93%, while among men the worry increased from 85% to a record 90%.

Across almost all age groups, worry also rose to record highs: 91% for those 25 to 34 years old; 93% among 35- to 44-year-olds; 91% among 45- to 54-year olds; and 92% among those 55 years old and above. 

Among 18- to 24-year-olds the worry dipped slightly, from 90% to 89%. 

Worry also rose across all educational levels attained, from 77% to 91% among non-elementary graduates; from 78% to 91% among elementary graduates; from 88% to 91% among junior high school graduates, and from 83% to 95% among college graduates.

SWS conducted face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults—600 in Balance Luzon and 300 each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao—from November 21 to 25, 2020.

The question asked was: "Kayo po ba ay nababahala o hindi nababahala na kayo o sino man sa inyong pamilya ay magkakasakit ng COVID-19? (Are you worried or not worried that you or someone in your immediate family might catch COVID-19?)"

The replies to choose from were "Lubos na nababahala (Worried a great deal)"; "Medyo nababahala (Somewhat worried)"; "Nababahala nang kaunti (Worried a little); and "Hindi nababahala (Not worried)."

SWS also noted that Filipinos are more worried about the matter than Americans, citing a Gallup poll from November that found only 59% of adult Americans worried (16% "very worried" and 43% "somewhat worried") that they would get the virus.

Vaccine skepticism

Despite the high level of worry among Filipinos, a Pulse Asia survey found that only 32% expressed willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19, while 47% said they would not get vaccinated. The remaining 21% said they were ambivalent about the vaccine.

The survey, which Pulse Asia conducted from November 23 to December 2 among 2,400 adults nationwide, also found that 94% of all respondents were worried about getting COVID-19.

In the same survey, 41% of Metro Manila residents said they would not get vaccinated.

A separate survey by Octa Research, meanwhile, found that only 25% of Metro Manila residents were willing to get vaccinated against the disease. The survey was conducted from December 9 to 13 among 600 residents.

As of Thursday, the Philippines has 482,083 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 9,356 deaths. — BM, GMA News