Seventy-four percent (74%) of voters are close to resuming their normal life in terms of going out socially, traveling, and interacting with others in person. That’s down just a single point from late October, but up eight points from 66% in September.
A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 23% say they are not close to resuming their normal life.
The number of people close to resuming normal life held steady despite increasing pessimism about the pandemic. Following a burst of optimism in October, the numbers reversed somewhat in November. In December, when asked if the worst was behind us or yet to come, there were more pessimists than optimists. Pessimism today is near the highest level since vaccines became available.
Those latest numbers include 51% who have already resumed normal life or are Very Close to doing so.
Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters are comfortable going mask-less to a restaurant, bar, or other social setting with a large number of people. That includes 48% of the vaccinated and 64% of the unvaccinated.
Some vaccinated Americans remain very hesitant about resuming normal social routines. Fifty-nine percent (59%) believe their reluctance to re-engage in somewhat normal activities is hurting the economy. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 21% disagree and 20% are not sure.
Additionally, 49% believe that President Biden and other leaders should encourage vaccinated Americans to resume a normal social routine more fully. On that question, 30% disagree and 21% are not sure.
SIGN UP to receive Scott’s free email newsletter.
CHECK OUT Scott’s latest polls.
Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.
Question 1:
Some people have generally resumed their life and go out socially, travel, and interact with others in person. How close are you to resuming a somewhat normal life?
33% I already have
18% Very close
23% Somewhat close
16% Not very close
7% Not at all close
3% Not sure
Question 2:
How comfortable are you going mask-less to an indoor restaurant, bar, or other social setting with a large number of people?
30% Very comfortable
23% Somewhat comfortable
19% Somewhat uncomfortable
24% Very uncomfortable
3% Not sure
Question 3:
If you were invited to a social event with a large number of people, how likely is it that you would ask whether everyone attending has been vaccinated?
23% Very likely
17% Somewhat likely
20% Not very likely
32% Not at all likely
7% Not sure
Question 4:
If someone receives the COVID vaccine, should they still be required to wear a mask and socially distance from other people?
54% Yes
30% No
16% Not sure
Methodology
The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 21-22, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.
