Croats fear the 5G network more than the coronavirus infection. This is the conclusion of two studies conducted by Hendal during August. This is the seventh study on the attitudes and behaviors of citizens during the coronavirus epidemic and on digital services in Croatia.
– Along with the standard parameters of attitudes towards the coronavirus that we have been measuring since March, in August we additionally reflected on attitudes towards the upcoming school year. The results show that confidence in the successful organization of the new school year is weak – only one-third of citizens believe that the upcoming school/kindergarten year will be successfully organized. The data from the research on digital services provides information on which applications have benefited from the epidemic caused by the coronavirus – states the announcement.
Research on the attitudes and behaviors of citizens during the coronavirus epidemic
After a continuous decline in fear of infection from March to May, a stable increase in citizens’ fear of coronavirus infection has been recorded since June. Following the renewed increase in the number of infections, fear of infection is gradually rising (from 29.8% in June to 32.4% in August). These figures are higher compared to 21.7% in May, but fear is still lower compared to April (36.6%) and March (46.4%).
Satisfaction with the work of the Government and relevant services in combating the coronavirus epidemic continues to decline and is at its lowest since the beginning of the research in March, but their work is still considered more positive than the work of European Union institutions as a whole.
In August, the average satisfaction with the work of the Government, the Minister of Health, and public services in combating the coronavirus epidemic is the lowest compared to all previous studies: 2.87 compared to 2.94 in July (and 3.15 in June, 3.63 in May, 3.75 in April, and 4.02 in March).
The work of our authorities is still considered higher compared to the work of European Union institutions (2.78). In August, EU assistance in combating the epidemic and assistance in repairing earthquake damage was rated the same (2.82), which is an increase in the perception of assistance in repairing earthquake damage from 2.61 in July. Citizens perceive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as equally negative as in July for all aspects of life. Predictions of the impact of the epidemic on citizens’ futures in the next year provide information on the anticipated negative impact on financial situations (69.9% compared to 71.3% in July), personal lives (58.4% compared to 60.0% in July), and employment (49.1% compared to 50.6% in July).
Worse aspects of life in Croatia are still predicted compared to the period before the epidemic. The most highlighted issues are the increase in public debt (91.4%), the decline of the economy in general (90.7%), consequences for tourism (89%), decline in employment (90.5%), and wage levels (77.9%). Citizens continue to predict a negative impact of the pandemic on freedom of movement (82%), healthcare (75.4%), and social life (77.4%).
Citizens have little confidence in the successful organization of the upcoming school/kindergarten year, and parents are most concerned about their child’s infection and the organization of care for the child in case they themselves become infected. Almost four-fifths of citizens believe that all students should return to schools in the next school year. However, exclusive attendance at schools is supported by 44% of citizens while 45% prefer a combination of traditional and online teaching. Just over half of citizens (54%) would send their child to school (if they had the option), while a third is undecided.
