Citizens' Pulse 4/2021

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 fourth collection round of 2021 surveyed the respondents' opinions on the reliability of the information provided by various Finnish authorities (e.g. the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) and members of various groups (e.g. health care employees, researchers) on the coronavirus crisis. The respondents were asked to evaluate how fair or unfair they thought Finnish society was at present and how well Finnish authorities (including the Government, Ministries, and other authorities such as the police and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) had been prepared for disease outbreaks such as the coronavirus epidemic. 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 of falling ill with 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' concerns were charted with questions regarding 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). Next, the respondents' trust in their future and experiences of stress were surveyed, and the respondents were asked to evaluate whether an atmosphere of crisis prevailed amongst Finns. The availability and findability of relevant information on the coronavirus crisis was charted. The respondents were asked whether they thought the communication of authorities had been impartial, reliable, valid, clear, swift, and open. Compliance with coronavirus restrictions was examined by asking the respondents whether they had observed 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 available in public places, and minimising contacts with people outside immediate family and friends. The respondents' views on the coronavirus vaccine were also surveyed. Finally, some questions on the upcoming municipal elections (summer 2021) were presented. The respondents were asked whether they were going to vote in the elections and if yes, whether they would vote during the advance voting period or on election day. Additionally, the respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with statements regarding safe voting during COVID-19 and the postponement of the elections from April to June, which had been confirmed at the time of the survey. 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.