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.
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Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
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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