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The corona crisis increasingly leads to a feeling of “pandemic fatigue”, at the same time that the population does not see a possible vaccine as a decisive solution for the corona pandemic. This is demonstrated by the study “Solidarity in Times of the Pandemic” by the research group Contemporary Solidarity Studies at the University of Vienna, for which the same 80 people were asked about their daily lives during the pandemic and their opinions on the measures of containment in April and October.
The government’s great hope that a vaccine will contain the pandemic is not shared by those surveyed: many of those interviewed, including supporters of vaccination, stated that they are skeptical about vaccination and that they are not one of the first groups to get vaccinated. , but first I want to wait.
The reason given was, among other things, uncertainty about safety, because vaccination generally takes years to develop and test. “Everyone is waiting for vaccination, but nobody wants to get vaccinated,” a study participant is quoted as saying on the blog of the research team led by Katharina Kieslich.
This attitude should not be dismissed simply as “vaccine skepticism,” but should focus on dialogue and communication, the scientists appeal.
Respondents would like scientific evidence for the measures
They also advise policy makers to communicate the rationale and principles for actions more clearly, despite rapid changes in the state of knowledge. Incomplete justifications for measures to combat pandemics lead to misunderstanding and even resistance, as the interview study shows.
Many respondents would like to have scientific evidence of which measures are beneficial. For example, it is not understandable why it was mandatory to wear a mask in the corridors of many public buildings at the time of the survey, but not on theater seats.
Researchers have identified respect for other people, especially members of the risk group, as an important reason for compliance with measures such as mask requirements and distance rules.
In the spring of the study, many respondents reported a new sense of cohesion in society, such as support for neighbors, friends and acquaintances. The approval of the measures to contain the pandemic was high, and they were met with a sense of responsibility towards other people, even by those who had doubts about their effectiveness or constitutional conformity.
Hopeful mood has evaporated: there is a feeling of exhaustion
There were hopes that the worst would be over by the summer, with some even hoping that the crisis could lead to a more sustainable lifestyle for people (such as less plane travel).
In the October interviews, before the blocking of the second part, there was not much of this hopeful spirit. Instead, researchers are now registering a “worried mood”: “weariness” from dealing with the pandemic has led to a decline in interest in developing the number of cases, for example, with some respondents reporting a rising aversion to the news.
Many miss their daily life before the pandemic, the new daily life with its various restrictions (closing of keyword classes in schools) leads to a feeling of exhaustion.
At the same time, according to the study, the polarization of society has increased. In the interviews, the respondents reported that they perceive that society in general and also in their personal environment is withdrawing.
The different attitudes of people who consider measures to combat the pandemic appropriate and those who consider them excessive were often cited as examples. According to the researchers, people who believed in conspiracy theory ideas at least a little also showed the need to distance themselves from “real” conspiracy theorists.
Furthermore, many respondents are concerned about the consequences of the pandemic for the economy and society. Fears include reduced educational opportunities and psychosocial stress for children, isolation of the elderly, and increased poverty.
Respondents expressed the impression that there is currently not enough talk about these challenges and how to overcome them. Here a social discussion about the effects of the pandemic is needed to counteract a possible polarization of society, according to the researchers.
