8 in 10 Republicans say the news media exaggerated COVID-19 risks | Pew Research Center

February 10, 2025

5 Years Later: America Looks Back at the Impact of COVID-19

8 in 10 Republicans say the news media exaggerated COVID-19 risks

8 in 10 Republicans say the news media exaggerated COVID-19 risks

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8 in 10 Republicans say the news media exaggerated COVID-19 risks

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5 Years Later: America Looks Back at the Impact of COVID-19
Most say COVID-19 drove the U.S. apart
Three-quarters say the pandemic took a toll on them, though most say they’ve recovered at least somewhat
Large partisan divides on views of COVID-19’s severity
Democrats more likely than Republicans to say it’s important for people with cold-like symptoms to wear a mask, test for COVID-19
Democrats and Republicans remain divided over how well public health officials responded to COVID-19
Majority of Republicans say there should have been fewer restrictions in their area during the pandemic
8 in 10 Republicans say the news media exaggerated COVID-19 risks
Young adults, Hispanic Americans more likely to say the pandemic took a major toll on their lives
Majority of workers whose jobs allow telecommuting continue to work from home at least some of the time
Since early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, stable share of Americans have participated in religious services either in person or virtually
About half of Americans say the pandemic changed how they use technology today
4 in 10 say the country would do better in a future health emergency