Coronavirus has completely changed the nature of everyday life in the U.S., with social distancing forcing people to stay in except for essential work and necessary purchases like groceries and pharmaceuticals. Americans have had to deal with these changes in many ways, from altering their day-to-day habits to wearing protective clothing when they do venture out. People have also had to manage the stress and anxiety that comes with staying isolated. It turns out that the number one way Americans cope with social distancing is by shopping online, with the next most common methods being cleaning and learning something new, according to a recent nationally representative WalletHub survey.
WalletHub’s survey, which follows our report on the States Where Social Distancing is Most Difficult, asked a range of questions, from how social distancing makes Americans feel to what protective clothing they wear and how often they go outside. Below are more highlights from WalletHub’s survey, along with additional insight from a panel of experts and a complete description of our methodology.
Key Stats
- Online shopping is a popular stress reliever: 36 million Americans use online shopping as their number one way to cope with social distancing.
- Nearly half the population still ventures outside: 48 percent of Americans go outside at least once a day while self-quarantining.
- Women worry more: Women are 40 percent more likely to feel anxious than men due to social distancing.
- People want to see family most: 34 percent of Americans are most looking forward to seeing family once this is over, more than the amount that are most excited to see friends or go out to eat.
- Most Americans use masks: 60 percent of Americans are now wearing face masks due to the coronavirus.
- Social distancing provides an opportunity to build skills: Almost 29 million Americans are using the social distancing time to learn something new.
Ask the Experts
Social distancing is stressful, but Americans are coping in a variety of ways. For more insight into the lifestyle Americans need to follow until the crisis is over, WalletHub turned to a panel of experts. Click on the experts below to see their bios and responses to the following key questions:
- What does it tell you that 36 million Americans' #1 way to cope with social distancing is online shopping?
- Why do you think women are 40% more likely to feel anxious than men due to social distancing?
- Is it enough that 60% of people say they are now wearing face masks due to the coronavirus?
- How important is it to go outside at least once per day while self-quarantining (48% of Americans say they do that)?
- What advice do you have for the almost 29 million Americans who are using social distancing as a time to learn something new?
Ask the Experts
Professor, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Delaware State University
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Frank Murphy Distinguished University Professor of Law and Psychology, University of Michigan Law School, University of Michigan
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Professor, Yale University
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Walter B. Gerken Professor (emeritus), Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine
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M.S. – Instructor, Department of Retailing, College of Hospitality, Retail, & Sport Management, University of South Carolina
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Assistant Professor, Reed College
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Survey Methodology
This report reflects the results of a nationally representative online survey of over 450 respondents.
After we collected all responses, we normalized the data by age, gender and income so the sample would reflect U.S. demographics.
Full Details Overall
| How does social distancing make you feel? | |
|---|---|
| Responsible | 23% |
| Depressed | 22% |
| Safe | 20% |
| Anxious | 18% |
| No difference | 18% |
| How are you coping during social distancing? | |
| Nothing new | 30% |
| Online shopping | 14% |
| Cleaning | 14% |
| Learning something new | 11% |
| Exercise | 11% |
| Cooking | 11% |
| Zoom/FaceTime | 9% |
| What are you most looking forward to once social distancing is over? | |
| Seeing family | 34% |
| Seeing friends | 26% |
| Going out to eat | 23% |
| Spending time outdoors | 11% |
| Going to the gym | 7% |
| What do you wear out in public during the coronavirus? (check all that apply) | |
| Face mask | 60% |
| Nothing special | 38% |
| Gloves | 33% |
| Bodysuit | 2% |
| How often do you go outside during the coronavirus? | |
| Once a day | 24% |
| More than once a day | 23% |
| A couple of times a week | 22% |
| Less than once a week | 17% |
| Once a week | 13% |
| How do you feel about others not practicing social distancing? | |
| Annoyed | 51% |
| Angry | 29% |
| I don’t care | 15% |
| Happy for them | 5% |
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.