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Poll: Just Over Half of the Nation’s Workforce Have Lost a Job or
Income Due to Coronavirus, though Most of Them Believe They Will Get Their
Job and Income Back Within Six Months
Most
of the Public Overall Say Worry and Stress Related to the Pandemic is Causing
Ill Effects, Including Lost Sleep, Loss of Appetite or Overeating, and
Difficulty Controlling Temper
With
many businesses shut down and job losses mounting nationwide, just over half
of the nation’s workers (55%) now say they have lost a job or had their
incomes reduced as a result of the health and economic crises sparked by the
novel coronavirus pandemic, the latest KFF Health Tracking poll finds.
This
includes a quarter (26%) of all those who were working on Feb. 1 who say they
lost a job and another 7% who say they got furloughed, as well as those who
say their work hours have been reduced (21%) or that they have had to take a
pay cut (13%).
Among
those who were working part-time in February, three-quarters (76%) report a
lost job or income. The shares are also higher-than-average among those who
are paid by the hour or the job (68%) and those with low (65%) or moderate
(62%) incomes.
In
addition to those who personally experienced a coronavirus-related job or
income loss, 16% say they have a spouse or partner who has lost their job,
had hours reduced, took pay cut, or been furloughed. In total, 42% of all
U.S. adults say they or their spouse or partner has been affected in such
ways.
For
many, the loss of a job and income is affecting the ability to keep up with
their bills.
Among
affected workers, more than a third (36%) say they have fallen behind in
paying their credit card and other bills. About a quarter say they have had
problems paying their utility bills (27%) or fallen behind on their rent or
mortgage (25%), and one in five report problems paying for food (21%).
Smaller shares say they have had trouble affording health insurance (13%) or
prescription drugs (5%).
"The economy right now is crushing workers, and many are piling up bills and debts," KFF President and CEO Drew Altman said. "Their optimism that things will turn around by the Fall may be wishful thinking."
Nearly
half (46%) of those in households that had a job or income loss since
February say they have experienced at least one of those financial
difficulties since then.
Among
the public at large, three in 10 (31%) report at least one of those financial
difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Those most likely to
report such problem include black (57%) and Hispanic (42%) adults, those with
low annual incomes at or below $40,000 (40%), and younger adults ages 18-29
(39%).
Most
Affected Workers Expect Their Situations to Improve Within the Next Six
Months
In
spite of these job setbacks and financial troubles, affected workers are
mostly optimistic that things will return to normal for them this year. Eight
in 10 (83%) of those affected say they expect to be hired back, return to
their previous salary or income, or get their hours back in the next six
months.
Less
than half of those who lost their job or were laid off say their former place
of employment is still open for business (39%) while most say it is closed
temporarily (56%). Just 2% say their former place of employment has closed
permanently.
Worry and
Stress Related to Coronavirus are Affecting Most People’s Mental and Physical
Health
Among
the public overall, more than half (56%) say that worry and stress related to
the coronavirus situation are leaving some marks on their mental and physical
well-being.
This
includes four in 10 who cite problems with their sleep and one in three who
report overeating or a loss of appetite. Smaller shares say coronavirus worry
or stress is causing frequent headaches or stomachaches (18%), difficulty
controlling their temper (15%), increased alcohol or drug use (13%), or
worsening chronic health conditions (9%).
The
coronavirus outbreak’s impact on mental health and well-being also seems to
be affecting a larger share of those who experienced a loss of employment
income.
Two-thirds
of those who say they or their spouse have lost their job or income (65%) say
that worry or stress related to the coronavirus outbreak has caused them to
experience at least one adverse effect on their mental or physical health in
the past two months.
Designed
and analyzed by public opinion researchers at KFF, the poll was conducted
April 15-20, 2020 among a nationally representative random digit dial
telephone sample of 1,202 adults. Interviews were conducted in English and
Spanish by landline (261) and cell phone (941). The margin of sampling error
is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the full sample. For results based
on subgroups, the margin of sampling error may be higher.
Filling
the need for trusted information on national health issues, the Kaiser Family Foundation is
a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.
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Friday, April 24, 2020
Poll: Just Over Half of the Nation’s Workforce Have Lost a Job or Income Due to Coronavirus
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