A survey conducted by Gallup Pakistan has revealed that 55% of Pakistanis consider that the coronavirus isn’t as dangerous as it seems.
The Coronavirus Attitude Tracker Survey was held to ascertain the changing perspective of people about COVID-19 and the lockdown imposed to stem its spread.
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Respondents from Pakistan are fourth most likely to believe that the COVID-19 threat is overrated. The survey showed that 57% of respondents from Pakistan, and those from Sindh (65%), agreed that the danger of coronavirus is exaggerated.
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Respondents, those from Japan (12%) are least likely to say the same. The survey findings show that public opinion is split over the COVID-19 pandemic has been brought under control; 47% agree, while 48% disagree — 33% strongly disagree.
The survey revealed that one in five Pakistanis – about 22 percent – admitted to having at least one coronavirus case in their family/social circle. In comparison, only 6% of Indians reported the same.
Similarly, the survey found that 12 percent of Pakistanis claim to have had a virus-related death in their social circle.
One-third of the respondents disagree with the number of COVID-19 cases being reported by the government. They believe that the government is exaggerating numbers to attract foreign funds.
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In the past two months, as the COVID-19 cases increased exponentially, there has been a sharp decline of 15% in the proportion of Pakistanis who think that the federal government is controlling the coronavirus situation very well. In the recent survey, 67% agree, while 28% disagree.
The survey found that about 74% of Pakistanis are ready to send their children to school if they re-open. Urban respondents (30%) and females (28%) are most likely to send their children to school if they re-open. The survey found that three in five (59%) Pakistanis are hopeful that life in Pakistan will return to normal by the end of the year.
Not just Pakistan this trend is shown in almost every country of the world. Most people worldwide believe its exaggerated.