VANCOUVER – A recent public opinion survey from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute’s continuing research on COVID-19 finds that most Canadians are gearing up for the long haul. Indeed, two-in-five Canadians (41%) say they expect it will be three to six months before things are back to normal in Canada, and another two-in-five (43%) say it will be longer than that.
What this means for the population is evidently more movie and TV streaming and more organized spaces around the house. Indeed, asked if there’s anything they are doing more of than normal since being isolated, streaming and cleaning are the two top choices, followed by calling friends and family and taking more walks.
If there’s one thing Canadians are looking forward to when this outbreak has run its course, it’s reconnecting. Nearly half (45%) say they’re looking forward to giving someone a big hug while one-in-three (34%) say they can’t wait to see and hang out with people outside their households.
Of those aged 18 to 34, four-in-five (78%) are more likely to be spending isolation streaming movies and TV shows.
More than half of female respondents say they want to hug their friends or family (55%) compared to 33 % of men.
Men, are more likely than women to say they are looking forward to having a meal out at a restaurant (35% to 27%) or watching live sports.
