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New research on public activity and behavior during the current Level 5 restrictions indicates that some people who believe they are complying with the rules still have “a lot of discretionary contacts.”
The investigation, the Measure of Social Activity (SAM), is being conducted in collaboration with ESRI’s Behavioral Research Unit and will be incorporated into plans to reopen the country, according to senior government official Liz Canavan.
The government is working on a revised Living with Covid plan and it has been well noted that planning to ease restrictions will be cautious and conservative.
Ms. Canavan, Deputy Secretary General of the Department of Taoiseach, said the anonymous online survey is collecting data from 1,000 people per week about their recent activity.
She said: “The study offers information on where and how transmission risks arise and will inform policies and communications regarding the opening up of parts of the economy and society, while keeping Covid-19 in check.”
Canavan said the first results of the investigation will be published this week.
He said initial findings indicate that the vast majority of us keep contacts low, but there are still some people with “a lot of discretionary contacts.”
“Interestingly, some of those people think that they are doing better than most people in compliance. But they are not. If you are one of these people and you think what you are doing is the ‘norm’, you might think again, ”he said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin launched the SAM initiative on Wednesday morning and said that as the vaccination program intensifies “we continue to rely on our behavior as the best defense against the contraction and spread of Covid-19.”
He said the research will play an important role in helping the public more fully understand how restrictions affect our behavior, “ensuring that data and knowledge are the foundation for all of our policy decisions and communication approaches.”
Martin said the study will complement other data sources such as the Amárach public opinion poll.
Ms Canavan also said that separate research shows that 85 percent of people say they will definitely or likely seek a Covid-19 vaccine.
“This demand and confidence is growing and it is a very positive statistic,” he said.
People over the age of 85 started getting vaccinated this week. In total 1.7 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated so far and Ms Canavan said Ireland is doing well compared to other EU countries.
He also renewed the advice that face covers should be used correctly, which means covering your nose and mouth well.
Ms. Canavan said that some reports suggest the use of a double mask or medical grade face covers.
She said: “Intuitively, the more layers you have the better, but ultimately if you are not wearing the mask correctly, you are not protecting yourself better.
“While double masking is certainly not discouraged, it is more important to wear a mask correctly and fit well.”
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