Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic upended daily life, most Americans believe the crisis drove the country apart rather than bringing it together, according to a new Pew Research Center report. The study, released Tuesday, highlights lingering divisions over public health measures, economic disruptions, and government response while examining how Americans have adjusted in the years since.
According to the survey of nearly 10,000 U.S. adults, 72% say the pandemic deepened national divisions, while only 11% believe it fostered unity. Political polarization shaped responses to health restrictions, vaccinations, and the role of public officials, with Democrats and Republicans maintaining starkly different perspectives on the crisis.
Pandemic’s toll and recovery
The report finds that three-quarters of Americans felt the pandemic took a personal toll on their lives, though most say they have recovered to some extent. The virus itself left an indelible mark: more than 1 million Americans died, and millions more continue to experience long COVID. However, concern about the virus has waned, with just 21% now considering COVID-19 a major public health threat, down from a peak of 67% in 2020.
Mask-wearing, once a contentious issue, has largely disappeared from public spaces—80% of Americans say they rarely or never wear a mask in stores. Additionally, fewer than half of adults planned to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine in the fall of 2024, signaling declining urgency around immunization efforts.
Political divides over restrictions and government response
Partisan disagreements over pandemic policies persist. Republicans overwhelmingly believe there should have been fewer restrictions on public activity, while Democrats generally feel that public health measures were appropriate. The survey found that 62% of Republicans say restrictions went too far, compared to just 15% of Democrats.
When evaluating government response, Biden and Trump receive nearly identical approval ratings—40% say Biden did an excellent or good job handling COVID-19, while 38% say the same about Trump. Local hospitals received the highest marks, with 78% of Americans praising their pandemic response.
Lasting changes in work, religion, and technology
COVID-19 reshaped the workforce, accelerating the shift to remote work. While 32% of eligible workers still work remotely full-time, the numbers have decreased from the peak of 55% in 2020. The pandemic also altered religious practices, with online worship remaining common, though in-person attendance has rebounded.
Technology use also saw lasting shifts—48% of Americans say the pandemic changed the way they use technology, especially younger adults. However, digital divides persisted, with lower-income Americans reporting greater challenges in accessing online work and education.
Looking ahead: Preparedness for future health crises
Despite frustrations with the country’s response to COVID-19, 40% of Americans believe the U.S. would handle a future health emergency better, while 43% think it would be about the same. Public confidence in the nation’s health system remains split along partisan lines, but there is broad agreement—across political and demographic groups—that local communities would respond well to another crisis.
The report paints a complex picture of America’s post-pandemic reality: while most have moved on from the worst of COVID-19, the divisions it exposed remain deeply ingrained in public attitudes and policy debates.
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