After nearly two years of the pandemic, Americans are faced with even more uncertainty, as Omicron cases are on the rise throughout the United States. In our latest survey, we asked respondents where they thought the pandemic was heading. We found that nearly half of respondents (49%) believe the “worst of the pandemic is behind us” while 14% of respondents believe the “worst is still ahead of us” – a 7% increase from the previous survey.
Throughout 2021, feelings of optimism regarding the pandemic have been a roller coaster ride. At the beginning of the year, 27% of respondents thought the “worst was behind us” and 46% of respondents remained “unsure” about the future. Compared to mid-June when optimism peaked with 74% of respondents who thought the “worst was behind us” and currently stands at 49% of respondents.
Results are based on surveys of 219 respondents from December 11, 2021, through December 14, 2021. All surveys were conducted online by respondents in the United States.
For more information about our survey techniques, click here to visit our Methods page.