Slightly more than half of the people questioned about their thoughts on the coronavirus believe the illness is a real threat, according to a University of Wyoming survey.
The survey, the latest in a series conducted by the university’s Survey and Analysis Center, showed that of the 503 people questioned, 52.8% believe COVID-19 is a real threat, while 39.1% believe its impact is being blown out of proportion.
The survey, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4%, is the latest in a series of monthly polls conducted by the center to determine public opinions about the coronavirus.
The survey has been conducted monthly since the end of March, with the latest taking place on Aug. 10.
Those surveyed are randomly selected members of the center’s “WyoSpeaks” panel, a group of people who have indicated they would be willing to take part in surveys.
The number of people who believe the coronavirus is a real threat has declined since the first survey was taken in March, when 63.8% of those questioned said the virus was a real threat.
Also declining was the number of people who believe “the worst is yet to come” with the virus in Wyoming. The survey said 63.3% agreed with that statement in March, a number that fell to 42.6% in August.
The number polled who said the virus is “not likely to be a major problem” stood at 20.7% in August, an increase from March figures of 14.1%, but a decline from June’s figures of 26.4%.
