CASPER, Wyo. – A survey from the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center (WYSAC) released on Tuesday shows many in the state are leaving concerns of COVID-19 behind.
While the global pandemic has so far taken more than 118,000 lives in the United States alone, Wyoming’s infection and death rate remains very low.
The survey was conducted on June 8 and is the fifth of multiple surveys WYSAC is conducting to measure public opinion on COVID-19.
According to the survey, 57 percent of residents say they’re “extremely or somewhat comfortable with attending outdoor events” with 250 or more people this summer. Thirty-three say they’re somewhat or extremely uncomfortable.
With gatherings of more than 250 people, 52 percent are comfortable while 38 percent are not.
A quarter of state residents say they’re not changing their daily routine for COVID, an increase of 9 points from last month.
Fifty-eight percent say they’re not attending public gatherings, down 12 points since May.
Fifty-eight percent also say they’re washing hands more frequently, down by 8 points.
Fifty-eight percent say they’re avoiding physical contact with others, down 10 points since May.
Just one-quarter say they always wear masks in indoor spaces, while 28 percent say they never do.
Only Thirty-eight percent say they’re “very likely” to get a COVID-19 vaccine once is available, down 11 points from May. Twenty-six percent say it’s “very unlikely” they’ll get the vaccine.
Fewer people report difficulty purchasing household items.
Governor Mark Gordon’s approval of handling the COVID-19 crisis is still high with 70 percent.
The survey says President Trump’s approval rating concerning the crisis is 56 percent.
To see the survey methodology, chart, figures and complete survey results, go to https://wysac.uwyo.edu/wysac/.
