Toluna and Harris Interactive have published yet another bi-weekly COVID-19 barometer that taps into a panel of 30-million plus consumers to provide information on consumers’ perceptions regarding the Coronavirus. The latest research, which surveyed 1,102 respondents in the U.S., yielded significant findings at the four-month mark since the virus first made significant footfalls in North America.
 
It appears that, heading into July, 73% of Americans are concerned about a second COVID-19 wave, and 40% of those surveyed said they would be willing to cope with having restrictions re-imposed if those restrictions lasted longer than 12 weeks.
 
Just over two thirds (67%) of Americans said that they think their health conditions put them at greater risk than average for COVID-19. 47% of Americans plan to be more health conscious, with behaviors that include exercising, eating healthy, and taking vitamins.
 
Supplement users shared their primary reasons for supplement usage at this time, and Toluna found that 71% agreed that they are taking them to increase overall health and well-being, 65% of users intend to strengthen their immune system, and 37% are using supplements to promote healthy digestion.
 
Americans have made clear that, despite the economic downturn associated with the virus, they are willing to dish out for supplements at a time in which health and nutrition are in the spotlight due to the ongoing threat, as seen in unprecedented surges in sales of multivitamins and supplements believed to benefit immune function to varying extents. Still, the worry surrounding the average consumer’s financial wellbeing has reached a fever pitch.
 
49% of Americans are still extremely worried about their financial security, according to the survey, and one third of Americans are worried about an economic downturn. This insecurity has driver 42% of Americans to save more money for a rainy day, while 38% said they will be better at budgeting, 31% intend to pay off debts, and 28% intend to keep more money in an easy-access account.
 
While regions of the U.S. are emerging from various lockdown restrictions, it’s clear that most American’s won’t be returning full-bore to the places they’ve been unable to visit, such as restaurants, theaters, gyms, spas, and travel destinations. To fill in the gap, 44% of Americans reported that they spend more time using online entertainment streaming services. Only 42% of Americans said that they will begin eating out again, 25% reported that they will get back to the gym, 22% will be returning to movie theaters, and only 15% intend to take a vacation within the U.S.
 
However, the availability of sanitary and safety measures is a clear driver in determining whether Americans will visit certain types of venues again. The provision of hand sanitizers and masks (51%), social distancing (49%), outdoor-only areas (44%), temperature checks (44%), and plexiglass screens (37%) were reported to significantly raise the likelihood that one would visit a venue.