Growing optimism in Arizona for post-COVID future, new poll finds

PHOENIX – More Arizonans are far more confident in a post-COVID future as a majority of the state’s residents have received at least one vaccine shot, according to polling released Wednesday.

According to a OH Predictive Insights poll, optimism continues to grow among Arizonans, with 55% expecting COVID conditions to be better next month than they are now, while 15% expect things to worsen.

Though 54% of Arizonans over 18 say they have already received the vaccine, broadly in line with ADHS reporting, seven in 10 surveyed have already been vaccinated or say they would take a vaccine.

While ADHS reporting includes Arizona residents under the age of 18, OHPI’s AZPOP only surveys Arizona adults.

Despite growing optimism and an increase in vaccinations, some hesitance remains within the community.

According to the results, 21% of Arizona residents said they would not take the vaccine. Hesitancy is highest among conservatives, Hispanics and non-White respondents, and people between 18-to-54 years old.

Those in the age group at a higher risk of serious COVID symptoms may be comforted knowing 76% of people over the age of 55 report already having taken the vaccine, double that of the 18-to-54-year-old group.

When it comes Arizonans concerns about the coronavirus, 41% are extremely or moderately concerned, while 38% are slightly or not at all concerned.

The survey also found the news sources that a person consumes on a regular basis (at least once per week) plays a large role on their level of concern.

Sixty-two percent of regular CNN watchers and 63% of regular MSNBC watchers are extremely or moderately concerned about COVID, compared to 43% of regular Fox News watchers who share the same level of concern.

Data shows that level of trust in local news media goes hand in hand with concern over #COVID
68% of those who trust local news “a great deal” are extremely/moderately concerned
42% with “a fair amount” of trust share the same level of concernhttps://t.co/oCnWLPzHn6 pic.twitter.com/fYZKmgYUJc

— OHPI (@OHPredictive) May 19, 2021

Looking at registered voters, extreme and moderate concern over the spread of COVID is at its lowest point since March of 2020 among Democrats (57%) and Independents (39%), the two political parties who have consistently been the most concerned about the spread of Coronavirus throughout the state.

Republican voters (23%) are statistically tied for their lowest level of concern since March 2020.

Throughout the pandemic, many companies moved employees to remote work to limit the spread of the virus. Among employed residents, more than half prefer working from home.

“Among the aftereffects from this pandemic that we haven’t seen yet, one thing is for certain: Going back to work as normal after the pandemic has passed will come with a need for employers to be receptive and flexible to change in order to remain competitive for top talent,” said Noble.

The poll was conducted May 3-5 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1%.

Of the 1,000 completed surveyors, 935 were registered voters. The sample of 935 registered voters yielded a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2%.

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