Omicron: A Guide for Update: Thursday, January 13th - Navigator Research
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Update: Thursday, January 13th Omicron: A Guide for Advocates Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days. Latest wave conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org
Key Takeaways:
• Americans are increasingly concerned about the pandemic as Omicron cases rise: nearly
half say “the worst is yet to come” in the pandemic, and most at least call it a “major
problem.”
• Top worries for Americans, however, are less about getting sick or going to the hospital,
and more so about how the latest strain is impacting the economy and causing staffing
shortages in businesses and schools.
• Mitigation policies like vaccine and mask mandates continue to enjoy broad support;
messaging on using these mitigation policies to keep the economy going is convincing
to most, though comparing Omicron to March 2020 in severity is a weaker lane.
• Though Biden has seen a small dip in approval on his handling of the pandemic, he and
Democrats are still more trusted to handle the pandemic than the Republican Party and
are seen as trying to keep things open, not shutting them down.
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
Latest wave conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgAs Omicron Cases Continue to Rise, Share Who Say “Worst Is
Yet to Come” Hits Highest Level Since Delta Peak
Nearly half of Democrats (49%), a majority of independents (52%), and 46% of Republicans say the “worst is yet to
come” in the pandemic.
When it comes to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, do you personally think that…
80
74
71 72
The worst is yet to come
66 64
60 62
58
54 55 55
50
53 52 54 50
54 53
50 51
54
48 48 47 48 50 48
44 46 44 45 44
The worst is over 39 40 39
34 33 33 31
31 29 28 30 29
28
25 25 25 37 27 27 27 29 38 27
36 23 24 24
21 35 33 35 37
20 31
16 17 16 15
22 21 24 25 23 23 23 24 22 22 22 21 24
20 19 19 18 20 21 21 21
16 17 18 17 18 18 18 19 19
15 13 13 15
10 9 Don’t know
3/23 4/27 6/1 7/6 8/10 9/14 10/19 11/23 12/28 2/1 3/8 4/12 5/17 6/21 7/26 8/30 10/4 11/8 12/13
2020 2021 2022
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
Latest wave conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgWhile More Say the “Worst Is Yet To Come” in the Pandemic,
There’s Been a Small Dip in the Share Calling It a “Major Crisis”
Among Democrats since November, there has been a 9-point decline in the share who say it is a “major crisis,” while
there has been an 11-point increase in the share who call it a “major problem, but not a crisis.”
Please indicate whether you think the coronavirus pandemic is best described right now as a major crisis, a major problem but
not a crisis, a minor problem, or not a problem at all.
Nov. 8
A major crisis A major problem, but not a crisis A minor problem/Not a problem at all Major crisis Major problem
Overall 49 39 12 53 27
Democrats 64 31 5 73 20
Independents 47 35 18 46 30
Republicans 31 50 19 31 34
Black 63 29 8 72 18
Hispanic 52 38 10 60 24
White 46 41 13 47 29
AAPI 43 46 11 70 26
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
Latest wave conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgAmericans Are Increasingly Concerned About the Spread of
Omicron Compared to Early December
There has been a 5-point increase in concerns about the national spread of Omicron (69% to 74%) and a 6-point
increase in concerns about local spread (67% to 73%) since December.
How concerned are you about the spread of the Omicron How concerned are you about the spread of the Omicron
variant of coronavirus in the United States? variant of coronavirus in your community and state?
Concerned Concerned
Concerned Don’t know Not concerned Dec. 6 Concerned Don’t know Not concerned Dec. 6
Overall 74 3 23 69 73 3 24 67
Democrats 90 2 8 86 90 1 9 82
Independents 66 4 30 59 64 5 31 58
Republicans 57 3 40 53 56 4 40 52
Black 87 3 10 75 89 2 9 72
Hispanic 73 3 24 69 72 3 25 67
White 71 3 26 67 70 2 28 65
AAPI 83 4 13 86 84 2 14 84
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
Latest wave conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgSince Mid-December, Many More Have Gotten Coronavirus
Beyond Those Who Have Tested Positive at Official Sites
Almost one in ten (9%) report currently having coronavirus or recently testing positive, but only half (47%) of those
respondents report testing at a hospital or official testing site.
Since mid-December, when the spread of the Omicron variant first began in the United States, which best describes you? [If have/recently had]
How did you get your positive test?
Tested positive at a hospital, medical facility, or official testing site
4%
5% Tested positive using a rapid at-home test
Did not test positive for
coronavirus or have any symptoms 80%
that made me think I had
coronavirus I think I might have had coronavirus, or may have it currently
11% because of my symptoms, but have not confirmed this with a test
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys registeredvoters;
of registered votersEach
conducted January 6-January
wave represents 10, 2022.
approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
morewave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgTop Pandemic Worries Are a Possible Recession, Staffing
Shortages Disrupting the Economy, and New Variants
For independents and Republicans, top worries are a possible recession and staffing shortages disrupting the economy;
for Democrats, new variants and someone close getting coronavirus are the top two worries.
Please indicate how worried you are about these statements. Total Worried
Very worried Somewhat worried Overall Dem Ind Rep
The economy falling into a recession 47 36 83 80 80 89
New variants or strains of the disease that could potentially be more contagious or deadly than the first 41 35 75 89 72 61
Disruptions in our economy caused by rising coronavirus cases, leading to staffing shortages because
sick employees will have to stay home 40 41 81 84 79 79
Someone close to you getting infected with coronavirus 39 34 73 87 69 58
That there won’t be room in hospitals or available doctors if you need one 39 34 72 83 68 61
That we can never get back to pre-pandemic normalcy 38 39 77 80 73 75
That people will be forced to get a vaccine that they don’t want and aren’t sure is safe 33 22 55 43 56 70
That there won’t be room in hospitals or available doctors if you get sick from coronavirus 32 38 70 86 55 56
You or your family members losing income from reduced hours at work 31 27 58 62 56 55
You personally getting infected with coronavirus 29 33 63 78 53 47
Elected officials imposing lockdowns or other restrictive measures in your community 29 32 61 51 63 71
That schools will have to shut down and children will have to go back to online instruction 29 33 62 64 60 61
Being unable to get a coronavirus test if you or someone in your family needs one 25 29 53 65 46 42
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
Latest wave conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgAmericans Are More Concerned About People Getting Sick
and Staffing Shortages Than Imposing Government Mandates
A majority of independents (56%) find school staffing shortages and potential shutdowns more concerning than
government mandates.
Which concerns you more?
That too many people will get sick at That too many people will get sick at
once from the Omicron variant, which That the government will put once from the Omicron variant, which That the government will put
will lead to things like canceled flights in place too many restrictive will lead to children getting sick and in place too many restrictive
and small business closures due to lack mandates and will shut our staffing and teacher shortages at mandates and will shut our
of staff, and other issues that will hurt country down again, which schools that could force some schools country down again, which
our economy will hurt the economy to close down will hurt the economy
Overall 56 44 59 41
Democrats 79 21 80 20
Independents 45 55 56 44
Republicans 31 69 35 65
Black 65 35 74 26
Hispanic 55 45 65 35
White 53 47 54 46
AAPI 67 33 59 41
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys registeredvoters;
of registered votersEach
conducted December
January 6-January
wave represents 3-December
10, 2022.
approximately6, 2021.
1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
morewave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgAmericans Report Hearing Positives About Biden’s Handling
of the Pandemic, Vaccines, and His January 6th Speech
Since last asked in early December, there has been a 6-point drop in the share who report hearing either “mostly
negative” or an “equal mix of positive and negative” on Biden (from 67% to 61%).
In a few words, what positive things have you seen, read, or heard recently about Joe Biden?
Hearing Positives on Biden: 54% December 6th
“He's been criticizing how Trump inspired the insurrectionists on January 6th.”
“His speech about January 6th was forceful, his messaging about
coronavirus has been on target.”
“Working to combat coronavirus epidemic nationwide.”
“Joe Biden is trying hard to clean up the coronavirus crisis by encouraging
all Americans to take safe and efficient vaccines and boosters.”
“He is getting coronavirus test kits sent to homes.”
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
Latest wave conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNearly Seven in Ten Support Mask Mandates Overall, and Four
in Five Support Mask Mandates in at Least Some Settings
Among independents, almost two in three support mask mandates broadly (63%) and 75% support mask mandates
in at least one situation. Two in three (66%) Republicans also support mask mandates in at least one situation.
Generally speaking, do you support or oppose the use of mask In what types of settings and events should it be required
mandates to slow the spread of coronavirus? to wear a mask? Select all that apply.
Dem Ind Rep
Net Support At hospitals and doctors offices 68% 81 63 55
Support Not sure Oppose Jan. 10 Dec. 6 On public transportation 65 81 62 47
Overall 67 4 29 +38 +35 On airplanes 65 79 59 49
For teachers in schools 61 81 56 38
At concerts and sporting events 60 77 56 42
Democrats 90 3 7 +83 +84
In retail stores 58 76 54 39
Independents 63 10 27 +36 +13 For eligible students in schools 54 74 51 33
Republicans 41 5 54 -13 -14 At restaurants or bars 54 75 49 32
At gyms 54 72 51 34
In offices with 100+ employees 54 73 48 34
Black 83 7 10 +73 +56
In corporate offices 53 71 51 33
Hispanic 78 4 18 +60 +43 In the military 44 62 40 23
White 62 4 34 +28 +30 In public spaces like parks 35 51 28 18
AAPI 82
It shouldn’t be required in any of these 19 5 25 34
3 15 +67 +76
Support requiring in at least 1 situation 81 95 75 66
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys registeredvoters;
of registered votersEach
conducted January 6-January
wave represents 10, 2022.
approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
morewave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgOn Vaccine Mandates, Two in Three Support in at Least One
Situation and a Majority Support Them Broadly
There has been an 8-point increase in net support for vaccine mandates since December (net +12 to net +20).
• Overall, 68% support vaccine mandates in at least one situation, with hospitals (54%) and planes (51%) at the top.
Generally speaking, do you support or oppose the use of vaccine In what types of settings and events should adults 18 and
mandates to slow the spread of coronavirus? over be required to be vaccinated? Select all that apply.
Dem Ind Rep
Net Support At hospitals and doctors offices 54% 70 49 37
Support Not sure Oppose Jan. 10 Dec. 6 On airplanes 51 69 42 33
Overall 57 6 37 +20 +12 For teachers in schools 49 66 45 31
In the military 47 66 40 26
In offices with 100+ employees 47 66 43 25
Democrats 81 4 15 +66 +60
For eligible students in schools 46 65 43 26
Independents 47 10 43 +4 0 At concerts/sporting events 45 60 40 29
Republicans 32 6 62 -30 -38 On public transportation 44 59 37 27
At gyms 42 58 33 25
In corporate offices 40 57 34 22
Black 71 7 22 +49 +31
At restaurants or bars 40 56 35 23
Hispanic 61 8 31 +30 +23 In retail stores 37 53 33 19
White 53 5 42 +11 +6 In public spaces like parks 26 37 26 12
AAPI 76 9 15 +61 +51 It shouldn’t be required in any of these 32 12 41 52
Support requiring in at least 1 situation 68 88 59 48
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys registeredvoters;
of registered votersEach
conducted January 6-January
wave represents 10, 2022.
approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
morewave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgVarious Lanes on Tackling Economy and Omicron Benefit
Progressives, But March 2020 Comparison Is Less Effective
While roughly two in five find messages focused on getting the pandemic under control first to avoid disrupting the
economy “very convincing,” a message comparing Omicron to March 2020 is “very convincing” to only 28%.
Please indicate how convincing you find these statements about how the United States should handle the Omicron variant.
Total Convincing
Very Somewhat Not that/at all Overall Dem Ind Rep Black Hisp. White AAPI
convincing convincing convincing
The last year proved that unless we get the pandemic under control first and
foremost, new variants will continue to disrupt our day to day lives and hurt the 42 35 24 76 90 69 62 85 79 74 74
economy when they surge
We have to get the pandemic under control because rising cases means more
employees will get sick and stay home, leading to more economic disruptions when 36 41 24 76 90 67 63 82 76 75 82
we're still trying to recover from the first years of the pandemic
We have to get the pandemic under control because rising cases means more
employees will get sick and stay home, leading to more economic disruptions when 37 39 25 75 88 65 63 82 82 73 79
we're seeing so much progress with jobs and economic growth
The situation the country is facing with Omicron is different than March 2020 when
the pandemic began: we now have effective tools like high-quality masks and
effective vaccines to keep our economic recovery going, our schools open, and our 28 43 29 71 80 66 62 79 77 68 80
communities safe
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys registeredvoters;
of registered votersEach
conducted January 6-January
wave represents 10, 2022.
approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
morewave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgMajorities Say the Best Way to Keep the Economy Open Is to
Use Mask and Vaccine Mandates to Slow The Spread
A majority of independents (54%) and nearly two in five Republicans (37%) agree more that mask and vaccine
requirements are the best way to keep the economy open rather than returning to life as normal pre-pandemic.
Which side do you agree with more?
The best way to keep the economy open is through mask The best way to keep the economy open is by returning to
and vaccine requirements that slow the spread, otherwise life as normal before the pandemic – this virus is less severe
too many people will get sick at once and leave businesses than other strains of coronavirus and we can't let it
without workers completely derail life again
Overall 60 40
Democrats 82 18
Independents 54 46
Republicans 37 63
Black 72 28
Hispanic 61 39
White 58 42
AAPI 60 40
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys registeredvoters;
of registered votersEach
conducted January 6-January
wave represents 10, 2022.
approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
morewave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgBiden’s Pandemic Ratings Have Dropped While He Sees Minor
Improvement Since December Overall and on Economy
Biden’s approval rating on the pandemic has dropped a net 3 points since early December (from net +5 to net +2),
while he has seen modest improvements on his approval overall (from net -7 to net -4) and on the economy (from
net -14 to net -9).
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling…
Net Approval
Approve Not sure Disapprove Jan. 10 Dec. 6 Nov. 22
His job as president 47 2 51 -4 -7 -11
The economy 44 3 53 -9 -14 -11
The coronavirus pandemic 49 4 47 +2 +5 +5
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
Latest wave conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgAmericans Trust Biden and Democrats Over Republicans to
Handle Pandemic-Related Issues
Independents trust Biden and Democrats more to “ensure enough people are vaccinated against coronavirus” by 23
points, to “listen to scientists” by 19 points, and to “combat the coronavirus pandemic” by 12 points.
Below is a list of issues. Please indicate who you trust more to handle each one.
Biden and the The Republican
Net Biden and the Democratic Party
Democratic Party Don’t know Party
Overall Dem Ind Rep Black Hisp. White AAPI
Ensuring enough people are
vaccinated against coronavirus 53 22 25 +28 +80 +23 -31 +56 +34 +20 +49
Listening to scientists 51 21 28 +23 +78 +19 -40 +54 +25 +16 +44
Combating the coronavirus
pandemic 49 17 34 +15 +77 +12 -57 +60 +19 +4 +31
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys 1,002 registeredvoters;
of registered votersEach
conducted August 26-August
January 6-January
wave represents 10,
30, 2022.
2021.
approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
morewave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgMany Republicans Say Biden Is “Overreacting”; Plurality of
Americans Say Republicans Are "Not Doing Enough”
Among independents, while 37% say Republicans in Congress are not doing enough, just 26% say the same of Biden
and his administration.
When it comes to Joe Biden and his administration's current When it comes to Republicans in Congress' current response
response to the coronavirus pandemic, do you think they are... to the coronavirus pandemic, do you think they are...
Getting it Not doing Getting it Not doing
about right Overreacting Not sure enough about right Overreacting Not sure enough
Overall 39 24 10 27 31 7 15 47
Democrats 63 6 8 23 16 5 11 68
Independents 29 27 18 26 26 11 26 37
Republicans 15 44 9 32 51 9 14 26
Black 55 9 12 24 24 12 16 48
Hispanic 44 16 12 28 28 9 12 51
White 35 28 10 27 34 7 13 46
AAPI 44 14 13 29 22 5 20 53
Nationwide
Nationwide
Nationwide survey
survey of
of 1,000
surveys 1,000 registered voters
registeredvoters;
of registered conducted
votersEach
conducted January
December6-January
wave represents 10, 2022.
3-December
approximately6, 2021.
1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
For more
ForLatest info,
info, visit
morewave visit navigatorresarch.org.
navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgMajorities See Biden and Democratic Elected Officials Trying to
Keep Things Open, Not Shut Them Down
Pluralities of both independents (44%) and Republicans (40%) say Biden and Democrats are trying to keep things
open while promoting things like mask and vaccine mandates.
Which best describes the current approach being taken by President Biden and Democratic elected officials to slow the spread of coronavirus?
Biden and Democratic elected officials
are trying to keep things open while Biden and Democratic elected
promoting precautionary tools like mask officials are trying to shut the
and vaccine mandates to slow the country down to slow the
spread of coronavirus Neither Don’t know spread of coronavirus
Overall 59 10 11 20
Democrats 78 3 7 12
Independents 44 16 25 15
Republicans 40 18 12 30
Black 62 6 11 20
Hispanic 56 9 13 22
White 58 11 11 20
AAPI 63 14 6 16
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys registeredvoters;
of registered votersEach
conducted December
January 6-January
wave represents 3-December
10, 2022.
approximately6, 2021.
1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
morewave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgA Range of Messages Work To Rebut Republican Criticisms
Democrats Only Want to Control American Lives on Pandemic
Whether the progressive response focuses on following public health experts, not letting the country shut down again,
or keeping people safe and healthy, each is more effective by double digits than a Republican critique.
Which do you find more convincing?
Statement 1: Republicans who say Democrats are trying to control our lives and force people to take vaccinations or lose their jobs because they think
they know better than we do how to keep us safe and healthy.
Statement 2: Democrats who say Statement 3: Democrats who say Statement 4: Democrats who say Statement 5: Democrats who say
they are following the public they won't let the economy or the most important thing is to the best way to keep our
health experts to manage this country lock down again, but keep people safe and healthy by economy open is to focus on
crisis with testing, masks, and instead follow public health focusing on the public health keeping people safe and healthy
vaccinations as the Omicron experts to manage the crisis with crisis as the Omicron variant of so businesses and schools can
variant of the coronavirus surges testing, masks, and vaccinations the coronavirus surges stay open and the economy can
as Omicron surges in order to continue to recover as the
keep the country open Omicron variant surges
Statement 1: 36% Statement 1: 35% Statement 1: 37% Statement 1: 35%
Statement 2: 50% Statement 3: 49% Statement 4: 51% Statement 5: 51%
Net Statement 2: +14 Net Statement 3: +14 Net Statement 4: +14 Net Statement 5: +16
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys registeredvoters;
of registered votersEach
conducted December
January 6-January
wave represents 3-December
10, 2022.
approximately6, 2021.
1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
morewave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted January 6-January 10, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgAbout Navigator For Press inquiries contact:
In a world where the news cycle is the length of a tweet, our leaders often lack the real-time public-sentiment press@navigatorresearch.org
analysis to shape the best approaches to talking about the issues that matter the most. Navigator is designed to
act as a consistent, flexible, responsive tool to inform policy debates by conducting research and reliable
guidance to inform allies, elected leaders, and the press. Navigator is a project led by pollsters from Global To learn more about Navigator:
Strategy Group and GBAO along with an advisory committee, including: Arkadi Gerney, The Hub Project; Joel
Payne, The Hub Project; Christina Reynolds, EMILY’s List; Mike Podhorzer, AFL-CIO; Jesse Ferguson, progressive http://navigatorresearch.org
strategist; Navin Nayak, Center for American Progress Action Fund; Stephanie Valencia, EquisLabs; and Melanie
Newman, Planned Parenthood Action Fund. @NavigatorSurvey on Twitter
About the Study
Global Strategy Group conducted public opinion surveys among a sample of 1,000 registered voters from
January 6-January 10, 2021. 101 additional interviews were conducted among Hispanic voters. 79 additional
interviews were conducted among Asian American and Pacific Islander voters. 100 additional interviews were
conducted among African American voters. 101 additional interviews were conducted among independent
voters. The survey was conducted online, recruiting respondents from an opt-in online panel vendor.
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
Respondents were
Latest wave verified
conducted against
January a voter
6-January file and
10, 2022. special
For more info,care was taken to ensure the demographic
visit navigatorresearch.org
composition of our sample matched that of the national registered voter population across a variety of
demographic variables.You can also read
