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Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for May 4, 2021
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
May 4, 2021: Fifty percent (50%) of voters now believe that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. That’s up nine points from two weeks ago and reflects the highest level of confidence yet measured. The previous high was 42% in March.[1]
A Ballotpedia national survey found that 24% of voters currently disagree and believe the worst is yet to come. Twenty-six percent (26%) are not sure.[1]
Those figures highlight a significant improvement over the past two weeks. In mid-April, just 41% thought the worst was behind us, and 32% held the opposite view.[2]
Public confidence about the pandemic has resembled a roller-coaster ride.
- Following the election last fall, confidence fell sharply. In late November, 68% believed that the worst was still to come. However, following the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, confidence surged.[3]
- By late January, 33% of voters believed the worst of the pandemic was behind us, while 40% believed the worst was still to come.[4]
- Then, in mid-February, for the first time ever, a plurality of voters believed that the worst was behind us. At that point, 39% took the optimistic view, while 31% gave a more pessimistic answer.[5]
- After that surge, the trend of growing confidence appeared to stall. From mid-February to mid-April, there was little change in public confidence.[1]
Throughout the pandemic, there has been a vast partisan perception gap. That remains the case today. By a 60% to 18% margin, Republicans believe the worst is behind us. A solid plurality (46% to 24%) of independents agree. Democrats are somewhat less convinced. Forty-three percent (43%) of those in President Biden’s party believe the worst is behind us, while 31% believe it is yet to come.[1]
| Worst of Pandemic is Behind Us | Worst of Pandemic is Still to Come | Net | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
- May 3, 2021 -32 percent of media coverage about President Biden has been negative
- April 30, 2021 -66 House seats have left Northeast and Midwest since 1960
- April 29, 2021 -38 percent of voters fear the Biden administration will re-open society too quickly, 40 percent worry it will wait too long
- April 28, 2021 –6 percent of U.S. population identified with different racial/ethnic responses on census forms
- April 27, 2021 -44 percent of voters say companies in their area are hiring
- 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 April 20, 2021
- Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for February 23, 2021
- Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for December 2, 2020
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 ScottRasmussen.com, "Confidence that worst of pandemic is behind us surges to 50%," May 3, 2021
- ↑ Scottramussen.com, "41% believe worst of pandemic behind us; 32% believe worst is yet to come," April 19, 2021
- ↑ PoliticalIQ.com, "Pandemic pessimism at all time high," November 30, 2020
- ↑ Scottramussen.com, "Vaccine arrival has dramatically reduced pessimism about the pandemic," February 1, 2021
- ↑ Scottramussen.com, "First time ever: plurality believes worst of pandemic behind us," February 22, 2021
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