Article author:
Associated Press
Hannah Fingerhut And R.j. Rico
Washington (AP) —Many Americans became popular during the pandemic after COVID-19 subsided. I don't expect to depend on the service, according to new polls, many think it's good if these options are available in the future.
More than half of adults in the United States participate in virtual activities, receive virtual medical care, deliver groceries, and use curbside pickups after the coronavirus pandemic is over. It is unlikely to do so. Press-NORC Public Relations and Research Center. Less than 3 out of 10 people say they are very likely to use one of these options for at least some time.
Still, nearly half say that after the pandemic, virtual options for activities such as health care, community events, fitness classes and religious services will continue.
"I think we're more likely to face a hybrid future," said Donahoffman, director of the Connected Consumer Center at George Washington Business School. "People have found that some of these virtual options come in handy. They don't necessarily keep you safe or like a pandemic, even if they get older during a pandemic. It doesn't matter. "
In 2020, the digital routine became the default as the country reacted to the rapidly spreading virus, urging blockades, school closures, and business closures. Some alternatives already existed, such as online shopping and video conference calls. Others have been rethought or popularized during the pandemic.
In any case, Hoffman said there was a "quick" adoption and adoption of virtual services. It was a question of "how to make this work". She said.
Cornelius Hairston said his family took precautions throughout the pandemic because his wife was the first responder in the healthcare field.
"We stayed in as many places as we could and came out looking for just what we needed," said Hairston, 40, who recently moved to Roanoke, Virginia.
Hairston joked that the twin four-year-old boy was a "COVID baby" who didn't go to the grocery store from an early age. The family used delivery services almost exclusively to avoid opening in crowded stores. But in the future, he only expects to use them "sometimes".
For Angie Lowe, the convenience and time savings of telemedicine made her and her husband do things in public more than a year ago. Nevertheless, it was a good reason to do it again.
Rowe made her first telemedicine appointment early in the pandemic when she felt "lonely" and "stuck at home" and couldn't sleep well. She drove to a medical center, where she was able to talk to the doctor without taking a break from her work to wait.
"This was my first telemedicine appointment, but it wasn't my last," said 48-year-old Rowe of Sterling, Illinois. "If I can do that, I'll do it."
However, in many cases, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits of relying on digital services in the future. Adults over the age of 50 are particularly likely to say they have no plans to use the virtual options asked in future polls, even if many are introduced during the pandemic to protect people at risk. is.
Despite being angry with COVID-19 and infection rates in Phoenix, 71-year-old Tony DiGiovane has a curbside pickup in grocery stores and restaurants. He said he felt it was more troublesome than worth it.
"I needed more luggage before I received the package," he said of the grocery order, and "something is always missing or wrong" for the takeaway order. I did.
Karen Stewart, 63, recognizes the benefits of video Hangouts, but also knows that video Hangouts have their limits. That's the case for her job of organizing after-school programming for children. She is currently looking at some of the doctors online. One provides virtual care almost exclusively and the other uses virtual care between office visits.
She likes not having to drive, which means doctors and nurses can't receive her vital signs or "practice" her care. For example, when all her appointments leading up to surgery were online, she said it was "scary."
"When I do that, they can't take my blood pressure, my pulse. You may find that doctors can't see it online." Said Stewart of Perris, California.
The pandemic has created an opportunity to balance face-to-face and virtual services to support the physical and mental health of older people, said Alycia Bayne, Principal Investigator at NORC. "It can be especially beneficial for people with various health problems, restricted mobility, people without transportation, people who do not have strong social networks such as family and friends, or who do not live nearby." She said.
Still, technology access, broadband access, and digital literacy are limited. This could help explain why older people are less likely to use digital services in polls after a pandemic, Bayne said.
There are age differences in the use of services, but a similar percentage of adults over the age are virtual options for healthcare, community events and meetings, and subsequent activities. Pandemic says it's good for.
"They are aware of the benefits of virtual services, but they are ready to go back to their pre-pandemic routine," she said. "Of course, the silver lining is that these services are now available."
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Polls of 1,001 adults seem to represent the U.S. population Performed May 12-16 using samples extracted from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak panel designed for. All respondents have a sampling error margin of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
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Rico reported from Atlanta.
