Poll: Texans less concerned about coronavirus than at the start of the pandemic even as cases rise

Most Texans are not concerned about contracting the coronavirus even as cases surge in the Lone Star State, according to a study by the University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Politics Project.

The poll surveyed 1,200 Texas residents between June 19 and June 29 and found that only 47 percent said they were extremely or very concerned about community spread of the virus, a 7 percent drop from April, when 54 percent of Texans said they had heightened concerns. In June, 26 percent of people were somewhat concerned and another 26 percent were either not very or not at all concerned.

The June poll was conducted during a time the state began to see a surge in positive cases with multiple counties reporting single-day records daily. In San Antonio, more than half of the city’s total coronavirus cases at the time were reported in June alone.

Josh Blank, the research director at the Texas Politics Project, said the new data reflect a number of factors, including increased knowledge about the virus, lifestyle changes and increased precautions.

“We are decreasing in concern, but that is largely fueled by people’s knowledge of how to avoid contracting the virus,” Blank said. “Think of it, gone are the days where we were disinfecting Amazon packages and leaving them on the porch for two weeks. More knowledge and a change in people’s habits is creating less concern.”

In a separate study conducted by the organization, 59 percent of Texans consider the pandemic as a significant crisis while 14 percent considered it a minor or no problem at all. Thirty-seven percent of Texas residents said they were only leaving their homes when absolutely necessary, down from 63 percent in April.

There is also a difference in concern along political party lines, the June poll finds. Forty-three percent of Texas Republicans express no concern compared to 75 percent of Democrats who said they were concerned.

While Republican politicians are more likely to downplay the concern of coronavirus, Blank warns, however, that looking at the virus along partisan lines is dangerous. He said that while individual’s political views can factor into what knowledge about the virus they are consuming, it is only a minor factor in overall opinions.

He used the example of a healthy 45-year-old white man living in rural Texas. While he most likely would be Republican and consume more news downplaying the virus, Blank said that geography, lifestyle and health play much more of a factor in the lack of concern than party affiliation.

“By highlighting partisanship so much is turning this virus into a political issue when it shouldn’t be,” Blank said. “It is easy to say that Democrats are looking more seriously at the virus, but that doesn’t mean Republicans aren’t taking necessary steps to protect themselves. Most people’s concern comes from an assessment of risk based on own health conditions, lifestyles and the information they are consuming.”

“People aren’t waking up in the morning, recalling if they are Democrat or Republican then deciding on whether they should wear a mask or not.”

Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @TaylorPettaway