To say that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the world would be an understatement. In less than a year since the virus emerged - and just over 6 months since the persecution began in the United States - it has upended everyday life around the world.

The pandemic has transformed the way we work, learn and interact, as social distancing guidelines have led to a more virtual existence, both personally and professionally.

The survey, conducted by Ipsos, was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 American adults aged 18 and older residing in the United States.

Mental health challenges

Unsurprisingly, the pandemic has sparked a wave of mental health problems. Whether it's addiction, depression, social isolation, or just the general stress that comes with COVID-19, we all feel it.

It seems to particularly affect young people. Of those surveyed, 55% said they had had mental health problems since the start of the pandemic, including 74% of those aged 18 to 34.

Pandemic-induced hesitation

While much of the world has sometimes stopped during the pandemic, the need for health care has not stopped. However, 38% of respondents said they skipped or postponed preventive medical visits due to the pandemic, even though health care workers went to great lengths to ensure that keeping those appointments is safe for everyone.

“At a time when we need to be able to focus on keeping ourselves as healthy as possible, we shouldn't skip preventive visits to our healthcare professionals. When we miss the first signs of a disease, we let it turn into a serious or even life-threatening disease, 'says an infectious disease expert

This is especially true for children who need to continue routine vaccinations. As the pediatrician points out, 'We can't lose sight of other diseases for which children are at high risk, such as measles and whooping cough (whooping cough), without those regular vaccinations.'

Staying healthy during the pandemic

But there is good news regarding the health of the respondents. From lifestyle changes to better eating habits, people are using this time to become healthier in many areas. Since the start of the pandemic, nearly two-thirds of survey respondents (62%) say they have made significant lifestyle changes.

Meanwhile, more than a quarter of respondents (28%) say they increased their exercise frequency during the pandemic - perhaps a sign that more and more people are embracing the benefits of training at home, while gyms remain a risky business. .

Better health awareness

However, a healthy life is more than just exercising and eating. And 68% of respondents said the pandemic is causing them to pay more attention to certain risk factors for other health problems.

Additionally, the pandemic is motivating people to take better care of more serious problems, with 41% of respondents already having a chronic condition saying they will now be even more likely to follow treatment.

Family and pandemic

During the pandemic, we have seen both the pros and cons of being locked up with family for extended periods of time. And there's certainly added stress for families who have had to deal with remote learning situations for school-aged children.

However, some have reported positive experiences with their families in such a small space. Overall, 34% of respondents said they felt closer to their family, and in households with children, 52% said they felt they had formed new relationships. Additionally, 78% agreed that quarantine made them value their relationships.

When it comes to stress with children, 27% of respondents who have children in their household say their children have benefited from being able to spend more time with their family.

Vaccinations

With the flu season looming and the coronavirus pandemic unfolding, it's especially important that everyone gets the flu shot this year.

As for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, 60% of respondents said yes, if it were available they would absolutely get it. Of those who answered no or were unsure whether they would receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the main reasons given were concerns about possible side effects (61%) and concerns about the vaccine's effectiveness (53%).

View

In the short term, survey respondents show a commitment to be safe and follow guidelines for the foreseeable future. And their concerns remain. stay alert

Unsurprisingly, a resurgence of COVID-19 is of great concern to respondents. More than half (59%) said they were worried about a new wave of cases, while 44% said they were worried about a new round of quarantines.

Nor is it surprising that two-thirds (68%) of respondents aged 55 and over, the group most at risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19, are worried about a further increase in cases.

Stay positive

Despite these worries and the difficulties during the pandemic, those who took part in the survey also showed that they were able to find positives in their experiences.

Overall, 78% of respondents said that although quarantine and social distancing were difficult, they enjoyed their relationships. Meanwhile, 65% said the pandemic has caused them to re-evaluate how they use their time and 58% said they have re-evaluated their life goals.

And while 58% say the pandemic has changed the way they live forever, nearly three-quarters (72%) said they still had hope for the future