Date Published: 14/07/2020
ARCHIVED - 73 per cent of Spaniards in favour of fining for not wearing a mask outdoors
ARCHIVED ARTICLE Only 22% think the population in Spain can be trusted to do the right thing without legal measures
The Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), produces regular surveys exploring the attitude of the population towards a wide range of topics, and although generally the nation is concerned about unemployment, the economy, politics, work prospects etc, a survey focusing on emotional wellbeing in relation to the Covid outbreak has thrown up some interesting points.
73.1% of Spaniards for example, believe that measures such as sanctions and fines are necessary to ensure that the population complies with the rules designed to fight coronavirus, such as the use of masks in public spaces or observing social distancing and only 22.4% think that trusting the population to make the right decision for themselves is a good idea.
It would be interesting to poll British nationals in the UK with the same question at the moment to see if the Spanish are more conditioned to accepting authority as the UK government struggles to persuade the population to comply with rules and trust them to use common sense, rather than imposing a ban as is the natural inclination in Spain.
Eight out of ten respondents consider that during de-escalation many people have started to break the rules.
The survey concludes that 89.1% of Spaniards are very or very concerned about the situation in Spain and elsewhere due to the coronavirus health crisis, although 44.9% state that they are not afraid of getting sick.
At the moment, what worries the Spanish the most are the negative effects on physical health (36.4%), followed by the repercussions on the economy and employment (31%).
Six out of ten respondents believe that when the pandemic ends, things will not be the same as before.
The majority of citizens, 68.3%, believe that the health crisis has had an impact on the emotional health of all people, while 30% consider that only those who have suffered from this disease directly have been affected.
Of the people surveyed, 86.4% have lived with other people during confinement, while 13.4% have lived alone.
Eight out of ten have not received help from family, neighbours or friends during the confinement with shopping or other needs. During the period of confinement, their relationship with their family has not changed for 53% of Spaniards, for 21% it has improved and for 3.4% has worsened.
Among the main reflections that the Spanish have considered during these months are: improving physical activity (52.6%), health (50.2%), eating habits (41.7%) and their relationship with the family ( 39.8%).
Things that they recognize have made them feel better: making better use of time, feel better and useful, distract and entertain themselves, and spend more time with family.
22.5% of Spaniards felt emotionally upset due to the situation and 22% were upset about not being able to go out.
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