Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Americans are increasingly likely to believe returning to normal life is only a low to moderate risk as Delta cases plummet, according to the latest installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.
What they're saying: "Delta's over in the popular imagination," said Ipsos pollster and senior vice president Chris Jackson.
- "People are starting to re-engage with their regular activities. They're not as worried about getting COVID," Jackson said.
By the numbers: The findings indicate a clear shift over time on Americans' attitudes about COVID.
- For instance, 44% said returning to normal life is a large to moderate risk — down from 56% in mid-September and the lowest since the Delta surge began.
- In addition, fewer people (38%) reported requirements by their state or local government to wear masks in all public places, down from 43% two weeks earlier and the lowest since early August.
The big picture: This is playing out in the stock market where stocks are at all-time highs, with onetime pandemic-era winners as a big exception, Axios' Courtenay Brown reports.
- As she put it: "At-home workouts and remote learning are out. Travel and gyms are in."
Yes, but: This isn't necessarily translating to good news for the Biden administration yet, Axios' Margaret Talev writes.
- While 67% of the respondents said they were "confident" in the administration's ability to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine quickly, only 45% said they are confident in the administration's ability to "ensure the economy recovers quickly" after COVID.
Methodology: This Axios/Ipsos Poll was conducted Nov. 5-8 by Ipsos' KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,033 general population adults age 18 or older.
- The margin of sampling error is ±3.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the entire sample of adults.