Jobless Americans worry more about reopening too quickly than money, survey shows
Nearly 39 million Americans have lost their jobs so far because of the coronavirus pandemic, yet a new survey shows the majority of them aren’t worried about their wallets, but rather about how quickly their state is reopening.
Experts say it’s likely because of ongoing anxiety about getting infected and spreading COVID-19 to loved ones who might be more vulnerable.
“Reopening is causing me a lot of anxiety. Not because I’m not ready, but because I don’t feel we, as a society, are ready,” Cara Blair, pregnant mom of four in Atlanta, told WebMD. “I’m anxious to get out, I wish I could, I just don’t feel comfortable. I don’t trust anyone else to tell me when it’s safe.”
About 68% of Americans who lost their job or have taken a pay cut because of the pandemic reported concern that state governments will lift restrictions too quickly, a Pew Research Center survey released last week said.
The same group agrees their states should enforce more restrictions than are currently in place.
Even those who kept their jobs during stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures — 69% — shared the sentiments of their less lucky counterparts, according to the survey.
On the other hand, about three in 10 adults — both employed and unemployed — said restrictions need to be lifted as soon as possible.
It also appears that Hispanic adults and those who are between 18 and 29 years of age have experienced more pay cuts and job losses due to the coronavirus than older, white Americans, the survey showed, meaning they might be more predisposed to support a slower reopening.
The survey revealed some political differences as well.
Democrats and Republicans who’ve lost their jobs or have received pay cuts do not want their states to reopen quickly, but more Republicans in this category — 54% — said they want reopening to speed up.
Regardless of job status, most Democrats fear what is to come from the early lifting of restrictions, the survey said.
Only Illinois, Delaware and New Jersey are still locked down, while 11 other states including Maine, California and Tennessee are “regionally reopening,” McClatchy News previously reported.
Meanwhile, all other states are already in the process of reopening statewide.
