A pandemic is a disease outbreak on a global scale that affects a significant portion of the world’s population. A key difference between a pandemic and an epidemic is that in a pandemic, it may be difficult to distinguish which deaths are directly attributable to the disease and which could have been a result of other factors (such as a lack of vaccines, poor nutrition, or poverty).
Pathogens with pandemic potential differ from one another in many dimensions, including their transmission rates and severity. As a result, the likelihood of pandemic events and the optimal preparedness strategy required to mitigate them vary as well. Nonetheless, several trends in recent decades have increased the probability of pandemics including population growth and urbanization, increased connectivity between populations and travel, more frequent and intense interactions between humans and animals, habitat loss, and increasing demand for animal-sourced foods.
As we approach the five-year anniversary of COVID-19, this report highlights how Americans assess our nation’s response to the pandemic, as well as their experiences with the disease. Nearly identical shares of Democrats and Republicans say they have been personally impacted by COVID-19: Eight-in-ten Democrats (including independents who lean Democratic) and six-in-ten Republicans (including independents who lean Republican) say the virus has taken a toll on them. The survey also looks at how the pandemic has influenced the way people live their lives, from their healthcare and religious beliefs to their work schedules and access to technology.