Citizens' Pulse 1/2022

The Citizens' Pulse surveys examine Finnish attitudes and opinions in the context of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Main themes in the surveys include the activity and communication of authorities, compliance with regulations, future expectations, trust, and the respondents' own state of mind. The first collection round of 2022 surveyed the respondents' trust in other people and in various institutions, such as the Finnish Government, the health care system, and the media. The respondents' state of mind was examined with questions on various matters relating to health and well-being. The questions covered, for example, whether the respondents were worried about their own risk or the risk of people close to them contracting COVID-19, the availability of health care for them and people close to them for issues unrelated to COVID-19, and their own mental well-being. Additionally, the respondents were asked about their concerns in regard to livelihood and everyday life (e.g. whether they were worried about the adequacy of their income or the income of people close to them, the uncertainty regarding how long the exceptional circumstances would last, and their children's schooling). The respondents' confidence in their future and experiences of stress were surveyed, and the respondents were asked to evaluate whether an atmosphere of crisis prevailed amongst Finns. Next, the respondents opinions on the availability, reliability and accuracy of the information provided by Finnish authorities on the coronavirus crisis was charted. Compliance with coronavirus restrictions was examined by asking the respondents whether they had followed the restrictions and recommendations set by authorities for preventing transmission of the virus, including maintaining safe distances, washing hands regularly, wearing a face mask, avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, using a hand sanitiser when it was available in public places, and minimising contacts with people outside immediate family and friends. The respondents were also asked whether they had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and how necessary they felt that it was to follow measures such as wearing a mask and maintaining safe distances after receiving two or three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Finally, the respondents were asked how useful they thought several measures were in preventing the spread of COVID-19 (e.g. testing yourself with rapid antigen at-home tests, avoiding public events, and using a COVID-19 certificate to enter restaurants and events), and how long they would be willing to comply with the measures. Background variables included the respondent's gender, age group, NUTS3 region of residence, highest level of education, household composition, and perceived financial situation of household.