Greece Covid-19 Study Reveals Fear, Insecurity, Pessimism

Photo source: diaNEOsis

Fear, insecurity, and pessimism are common among Greeks during the Covid-19 era, according to key findings of a study conducted this month by research and policy institute diaNEOsis in collaboration with Metron Analysis and the National Vaccination Committee.

Carried out on a sample of 1,110 people aged over 17, the fifth diaNEOsis study examines changing attitudes to Covid-19 compared to the start of the pandemic.

The study’s main findings reveal growing fear, insecurity, and a more pessimistic view with regard to the future compared to last year, when 86 percent said the country was moving in the right direction. Now 46 percent feel this way with those over 65 more so.

Participants in the study are also less positive about returning to normalcy, which they feel will now come after 2021 (54.4 percent). Last year, people thought that addressing the virus would only be a matter of months.

On a positive note, more than half of Greeks polled believe the worst is over pinning hopes on vaccination.

The coronavirus is a serious risk said 76.9 percent of Greeks polled while 52.3 percent believe they too may be infected at some point while 65.5 percent believe getting infected poses a threat to one’s life. 

Photo source: diaNEOsis

Concerning infection rates, 4.1 percent said they had been infected with Covid-19 while 8 percent admitted a family member had been hit by the virus. Indicatively, among of this 8 percent, 9.2 percent said their family member had died.

In terms of daily life, due to ongoing lockdown measures since November 2020, most forms of recreation are on hold. Seven in 10 people said their lives had changed a great deal or even more among the 17 to 24-year-olds.

Indicatively, the study found that compared to September 2020, 88 percent (from 76.3 percent) said they go to fewer social events than before the pandemic; 87 percent (from 56 percent) said they meet with friends less often; 61 percent (from 29 percent) said they see family members less often; 59 percent (from 51.3 percent) said they use public transport less.

Compared to April 2020, when only one in four (25.4 percent) worked at the office, in March 2021 more than half (53.9 percent) are working from their office.

Photo © European Commission 2020

With regard to vaccination, 81.1 percent consider it a positive development, while 72 percent said priority given was satisfactory. One in three wish the vaccination rollout was faster and more far reaching.

An interesting find reveals that in September 2020, 49.5 percent had said they would be getting vaccinated. The figure is now 68 percent.