With lockdown measures easing across the country, new research shows that Canadians are worried about the potential public health consequences of reopening the economy.
In a survey of 2,000 Canadians, researchers from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication asked whether governments should prioritize economic recovery now or continue with current public health measures designed to flatten the curve of new COVID—19 infections.
The research reports that a strong majority of Canadians (79 per cent) agreed with the statement: “It is more important to minimize avoidable illness and death than to reopen the economy too quickly,” while 21 per cent expressed a preference for “getting the economy going again, even if that leads to more illness and death.”
According to Josh Greenberg, a professor in the School of Journalism and Communication and one of the project co-investigators, the research offers an important perspective on the state of public worry at a time of continued pandemic threat.
“Our findings suggest that Canadians have no appetite for moving quickly and want their leaders in government, the health sector and business to move with an abundance of caution,” he says.
Greenberg conducted this research with fellow School of Journalism and Communication faculty members: Sarah Everts, Chris Waddell, and Brett Popplewell. The survey was done through Abacus Data and funded by the Faculty of Public Affairs. Read the full story here.
Media Coverage on the research:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/retail-reopening-covid-19-ottawa-1.5575876
Friday, May 22, 2020 in General, Journalism News
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