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Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for December 22, 2021
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
December 22, 2021: Twenty-nine percent (29%) of voters now believe that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. That’s down three points from two weeks ago and 14 points from a month ago. That’s just a point above the lowest level of optimism measured since the vaccines became available.[1]
A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 40% now believe the worst of the pandemic is yet to come. That total includes 11% who say it will never end and 11% who say it will last several more years.[1]
Five percent (5%) believe the pandemic is over and 3% believe it was a hoax.[1]
Perceptions about the pandemic have varied over time. When the lockdowns first began, a majority of voters believed the pandemic would end by Memorial Day 2020.[1]
In 2021, optimism rose when the vaccines became available. By May, 56% believed the worst was behind us. However, confidence fell over the summer with the arrival of the Delta variant. By July, 28% still believed the worst had already come and gone. Confidence began to grow again in early October before falling in November.[1]
Voters are clearly frustrated with both the pandemic itself and the government response to it.[1]
- Among those who believe the worst is yet to come, only half (51%) are worried about ongoing health issues. Thirty-six percent (36%) are worried about more government restrictions and mandates.
- Looking back, 58% of voters believe that shutting down businesses and locking down society did more harm than good.
- Forty-eight percent (48%) think scientists would falsify their data to support their personal views of what should be done.
- Half (49%) believe relaxing vaccine mandates, mask requirements, and social distancing guidelines would be good for the economy.
- Fifty-nine percent (59%) favor relaxing vaccine mandates to ease supply chain issues. Additionally, 61% favor relaxing vaccine mandates for police officers, fire fighters, and health care workers.
| Worst of Pandemic is Behind Us | Worst of Pandemic is Still to Come | Net | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 14-15 | 29% | 40% | -11% |
| Dec. 1-3 | 32% | 40% | -8% |
| Nov. 22-23 | 40% | 37% | +3% |
| Nov. 15-16 | 43% | 34% | +9% |
| Nov. 8-11 | 46% | 28% | +18% |
| Nov. 4-7 | 44% | 29% | +15% |
| Oct. 28-30 | 40% | 30% | +10% |
| Oct. 11-13 | 38% | 34% | +4% |
| Sept. 30-Oct. 2 | 28% | 42% | -14% |
| Sept. 14-15 | 28% | 45% | -17% |
| Aug. 20-22 | 25% | 48% | -23% |
| Aug. 5-7 | 29% | 43% | -14% |
| July 29-31 | 28% | 45% | -17% |
| July 22-24 | 34% | 38% | -4% |
| July 15-17 | 37% | 33% | +4% |
| May 27-29 | 56% | 20% | +36% |
| May 20-22 | 52% | 21% | +31% |
| Apr. 29-May 1 | 50% | 24% | +26% |
| Apr. 15-17 | 41% | 32% | +9% |
| Mar. 4-6 | 42% | 28% | +14% |
| Feb. 18-20 | 39% | 31% | +8% |
| Jan. 28-30 | 33% | 40% | -7% |
| Dec. 10-12 | 21% | 62% | -41% |
| Nov. 27-28 | 18% | 68% | -50% |
| Nov. 12-14 | 22% | 62% | -40% |
| Oct. 15-17 | 22% | 56% | -34% |
| Oct. 8-10 | 27% | 52% | -25% |
| Oct. 1-3 | 24% | 55% | -31% |
| Sept. 3-5 | 29% | 49% | -20% |
| Aug. 13-15 | 20% | 59% | -39% |
| July 23-25 | 15% | 63% | -48% |
| June 4-6 | 29% | 42% | -13% |
| April 9-11 | 16% | 60% | -44% |
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.
- December 21, 2021 - 48 percent of voters believe scientists would falsify data to support their personal views
- December 20, 2021 -32 percent of voters believe it's very likely democracy in America will end within a generation
- December 17, 2021 54 percent of voters recognize there are fewer people working than before the pandemic
- December 16, 2021 - 47 percent of voters believe Dr. Fauci makes recommendations based upon scientific data
- December 15, 2021 - 49 percent of voters consider abortion very important voting issue
- To see other recent numbers, check out the archive.
Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day is published by Ballotpedia weekdays at 8:00 a.m. Eastern. Click here to check out the latest update.
The Number of the Day is broadcast on local stations across the country. An archive of these broadcasts can be found here.
Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
Ballotpedia is the nonprofit, nonpartisan Encyclopedia of American Politics.
See also
- Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day
- Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for December 9, 2021
- Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for November 30, 2021
- Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for December 14, 2021
Footnotes
