Most people believe their society is now more divided than before the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new Pew Research Center survey in 17 advanced economies. While a median of 34% feel more united, about six-in-ten report that national divisions have worsened since the outbreak began.
One source of these divisions manifests in how people view the stay-at-home orders or mandates to wear masks in public during the pandemic. Overall, about four-in-ten express the opinion that over the course of the pandemic, the level of restrictions on public activity has been about right. A nearly equal share believes there should have been more restrictions to contain the virus.
