50 Percent of Voters Believe Worst of Pandemic Behind Us

May 3, 2021: Fifty percent (50%) of voters now believe that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. That’s up nine points from two weeks ago and reflects the highest level of confidence yet measured. The previous high was 42% in March.[1]

A Ballotpedia national survey found that 24% of voters currently disagree and believe the worst is yet to come. Twenty-six percent (26%) are not sure.[1]

Those figures highlight a significant improvement over the past two weeks. In mid-April, just 41% thought the worst was behind us, and 32% held the opposite view.[2]

Public confidence about the pandemic has resembled a roller-coaster ride.

• Following the election last fall, confidence fell sharply. In late November, 68% believed that the worst was still to come. However, following the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, confidence surged.[3]
• By late January, 33% of voters believed the worst of the pandemic was behind us, while 40% believed the worst was still to come.[4]
• Then, in mid-February, for the first time ever, a plurality of voters believed that the worst was behind us. At that point, 39% took the optimistic view, while 31% gave a more pessimistic answer.[5]
• After that surge, the trend of growing confidence appeared to stall. From mid-February to mid-April, there was little change in public confidence.[1]

Throughout the pandemic, there has been a vast partisan perception gap. That remains the case today. By a 60% to 18% margin, Republicans believe the worst is behind us. A solid plurality (46% to 24%) of independents agree. Democrats are somewhat less convinced. Forty-three percent (43%) of those in President Biden’s party believe the worst is behind us, while 31% believe it is yet to come.[1]

Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics and technology. Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author. Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day is published by Ballotpedia weekdays at 9 a.m. Eastern. Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author. Scott Rasmussen is founder and president of the Rasmussen Media Group. He is the author of "Mad as Hell: How the Tea Party Movement Is Fundamentally Remaking Our Two-Party System," "In Search of Self-Governance," and "The People's Money: How Voters Will Balance the Budget and Eliminate the Federal Debt." Read Scott Rasmussen's Reports — More Here.​

Footnotes:

1. ScottRasmussen.com, "Confidence that worst of pandemic is behind us surges to 50%," May 3, 2021
2. Scottramussen.com, "41% believe worst of pandemic behind us; 32% believe worst is yet to come," April 19, 2021
3. PoliticalIQ.com, "Pandemic pessimism at all time high," November 30, 2020
4. Scottramussen.com, "Vaccine arrival has dramatically reduced pessimism about the pandemic," February 1, 2021
5. Scottramussen.com, "First time ever: plurality believes worst of pandemic behind us," February 22, 2021