A new rolling public opinion study is surveying about 2,500 Canadians every 72 hours throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Initial findings indicate that Canadians are largely heeding public health advice.

The study, called the COVID-19 Monitor is being conducted by data scientists at Vox Pop Labs, in partnership with public health researchers at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and public strategy firm MASS LBP. Initial findings were released on March 27.

Among these findings, the study showed that 9 out of every 10 Canadians are washing their hands more frequently with soap and water, staying away from crowded places, and avoiding handshakes, while about 8 out of 10 Canadians are practicing social distancing by avoiding non-essential in-person contact.

The study also showed that almost 1 in 5 Canadians remain unsure when or how to seek testing for COVID-19.

Mental distress

The crisis is affecting Canadians’ mental health. Two-thirds of respondents reported elevated levels of anxiety, fear, and stress.

Three-quarters of responded were more worried about the economy and almost half are more concerned about being able to pay their bills than they were a month ago.

Public confidence

With respect to the federal government’s initial response to the pandemic, above half of those surveyed said they were “broadly confident.”

Quebecers, meanwhile, are two to three times more confident in their province's response to COVID-19 than residents of other provinces, the study revealed.

"This study is an effort to make a contribution to our collective well-being during these precarious times," said Dr. Clifton van der Linden, founder and CEO of Vox Pop Labs and assistant professor of political science at McMaster University. "It's important that governments in Canada and Canadians themselves have access to detailed and timely research that can help everyone respond effectively to the COVID-19 outbreak."

To learn more, consult the full results of the first wave of the study here.