Undoubtedly, the coronavirus has affected everyone to a greater or lesser degree and people have responded in different ways to the virus itself and the lockdown measures that have been placed upon them.
In a study by The Policy Institute at King’s College London, three distinct categories of the population and their respective attitudes and behaviour to the virus and lockdown were identified against the following criteria:
Based on previously published data from a survey of 2,250 UK residents aged 18-75 from 1-3 April 2020, responses from the groups, named as The Accepting (48%*), The Suffering (44%*) and The Resisting (9%*), are summarised below:
*Note: Percentages of three groups sum to 101% due to rounding
The Accepting – Key Demographics: These responses correlate with the key demographics of the group, 59% of whom were male with a mean age of 50, voted Conservative over Labour by 40% to 21% and voted ‘Leave’ over ‘Remain’ by 47% to 39%.
The Suffering – Key Demographics: 64% female with a mean age of 44, equal split between Labour (30%) and Conservative (29%) and voted ‘Remain’ over ‘Leave’ by 46% to 35%.
The Resisting: – Key Demographics: 64% male with a mean age of 29, Voted Labour over Conservative by 35% to 22% and voted ‘Remain’ over ‘Leave’ by 57% to 43%.
Summary
The above gives an overview of a sample of individuals over a short period of time but the effects of the coronavirus change daily so it is likely that if the same survey was conducted today, responses are likely to be different. People have had to come to terms with significant changes: loss of life, separation from loved ones, unemployment, isolation and anxiety. However, many have adjusted using technology to have contact with friends and family and adapting to virtual working from home. Others have used it to access counselling and psychological treatment when the need arose. A sense of community and resilience has helped society move from the initial panic of the unknown to an understanding and appreciation of lockdown measures and a gradual acceptance as we wait for a new ‘normal’ to evolve.