5 Years Later: America Looks Back at the Impact of COVID-19, P2

February 12, 2025

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Massive gaps remain between Republicans and Democrats in views toward COVID-19, including vaccines

Majorities of both Democrats and Republicans were personally impacted by the pandemic: Eight-in-ten Democrats (including independents who lean to the Democratic Party) say COVID-19 took at least a minor toll on them, while 69% of Republicans and GOP leaners say the same.

And virtually identical shares of Republicans and Democrats say they have tested positive for COVID-19 or been pretty sure they had it.

But the pandemic highlighted the different values and priorities of America’s two major political parties.

Two years after the pandemic started, Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say the country had given too little priority to individual choice and supporting businesses and economic activity in the response to the coronavirus outbreak. And a larger majority of Republicans than Democrats said the country hadn’t given enough priority to the needs of K-12 students. Democrats, meanwhile, were more likely to say the country came up short on limiting risks for vulnerable populations and protecting public health.

These differing outlooks are part of what shaped the sharply partisan responses to COVID-19 that persist today.

In the new survey:

Republicans are much more likely to say COVID-19 is now no worse than a cold or flu. About six-in-ten Republicans say this. By contrast, 76% of Democrats take the opposite view and describe COVID-19 today as worse than a cold or flu.
Meanwhile, Democrats are much more inclined to worry that we’re not taking COVID-19 seriously enough today. Fully 60% of Democrats worry we’re not taking COVID-19 seriously enough now, compared with 20% of Republicans.
There also are differing views on the steps people should take when they are feeling sick. While majorities of both parties say it is extremely or very important for a person with cold-like symptoms to avoid contact with vulnerable people, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to express this view (84% vs. 63%). Democrats also are much more likely than Republicans to say it’s crucial for someone with these symptoms to stay home from work or school, wear a mask in crowded settings and test for COVID-19.