COVID-19
From 2020 to 2022, the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) conducted a series of five national public opinion surveys to examine the perceptions of Americans related to COVID-19. In addition, the PIE Center surveyed leaders in the agriculture and natural resources sectors to explore their unique concerns and beliefs. Learn more below about key findings from the research, view publications and read recommendations.
Public Opinion SUrveys
Public Opinion 1: March 2020
The PIE Center conducted a national public opinion survey between March 13-16, 2020 to examine Americans’ knowledge, response, concerns, and beliefs related to COVID-19. Key findings include that two-thirds of Americans ranked COVID-19 at their number one public health concern even when compared to other concerns, such as influenza, Ebola, and HIV. Learn more about the research and key findings below.
Key Findings Issue Guide Social Media Graphics Webinar Informational Video
Agriculture & Natural Resources Leaders: MARCH – April 2020
The PIE Center surveyed 225 leaders in the agriculture and natural resources sectors in 17 states to examine their knowledge, response, concerns and beliefs regarding COVID-19. This survey was conducted between March 16 and April 21, 2020. Learn more about the key findings below.
Issue Guide Social Media Graphics WebinarInformational Video
PUBLIC OPINION 2: April – May 2020
The PIE Center conducted a follow-up national public opinion survey between April 23 – May 7, 2020 to examine Americans’ knowledge, response, concerns, and beliefs related to COVID-19. The survey specifically focused on measuring respondents’ attitudes regarding social distancing practices. Learn more about the research and key findings below.
Issue Guide Social Media Graphics Webinar Informational Video
PUBLIC OPINION 3: July – August 2020
The PIE Center conducted a follow-up national public opinion survey between July 23 – August 9, 2020 to examine Americans’ knowledge, response, concerns, and beliefs related to COVID-19. The survey specifically focused on measuring respondents’ attitudes regarding social distancing practices wearing facial coverings. Learn more about the research and key findings below.
Issue Guide Social Media Graphics Webinar Informational Video
Public Opinion 4: January 2021
The PIE Center conducted a follow-up national public opinion survey between January 8 – January 21, 2021 to examine Americans’ knowledge, response, concerns, and beliefs related to COVID-19. The survey specifically focused on measuring respondents’ attitudes, beliefs and intent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the research and key findings below.
Public opinion 5: March 2022
In March 2022, the PIE Center conducted a national public opinion survey to assess Americans’ concerns compared to earlier points in the pandemic. The survey explored vaccine attitudes, message preferences and perceptions of information sources.
Issue Guides
publications
Baker, L., McLeod-Morin, A., Yang, C., King, A. E. H., & Thomas, S. (2023). Rural Redemption: A Model to Help Understand the Perspectives of Rural Americans Related to Vaccine Science. Journal of Applied Communications, 106(4). https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.2446
Baker, L., Chiarelli, C., Rampold, S., McLeod-Morin, A., & Lindsey, A. (2022).
Communication in a pandemic: Concerns of agricultural and natural resources opinion leaders during early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advancements in Agricultural Development, 2(3), 72-82.
https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v2i3.147
Baker, L., McLeod-Morin, A., Rampold, S., Lindsey, A., Telg, R. & Oglesby, M. (2022). Search, seek, share: A national survey assessing Americans’ information channels and sharing behaviors during a pandemic. Advancements in Agricultural Development, 3(2), 62-74. https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v3i2.219
Baker, L., Yang, C., Lindsey, A., McLeod-Morin, A., Telg, R., Zagonel, A., Honeycutt, S., Wali, N., & Rampold, S. (2022). Public opinion in a pandemic: Four surveys conducted with Americans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceedings of the International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference, 5, 45-48. https://doi.org/10.30658/icrcc.2022.11
Baker, L., Kandzer, M., Rampold, S., Chiarelli, C., Peterson, H., & McLeod-Morin, A. (2020). Agriculture and natural resources business owners economic and communication concerns early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Advancements in Agricultural Development, 1(3), 95-110. https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v1i3.83
Garrison, S. T., Rampold, S. D., Vasquez, K. B., Gillen, M., & Baker, L. M. (2022). Parents’ Employment, Income, and Finances Before and During the COVID‐19 Pandemic. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 56(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12443
Kandzer, M., Castano, V., Baker, L. M., & McLeod-Morin, A. (2022). Framing Friction: A Content Analysis Investigating How the CDC Framed Social Media Communication with the Public During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Applied Communications, 106(1). https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.2406
Zagonel, A., Baker, L., Covarrubias, J., & Lindsey, A. (2021). Credibility in crisis: Determining the availability and credibility of online food supply chain resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advancements in Agricultural Development, 2(3), 39-49. https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v2i3.145
Baker, L., McLeod-Morin, A., Rampold, S., Zagonel, A., Telg, R., Lindsey, A., Kandzer, M., Anderson, S., Honeycutt, S., Stokes, P., Castano, V., & Poulin, A. (2022). Relying on Research for Effective Response: A Survey Tool for Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 to Create Extension Resources: WC426/AEC765, 12/2022. UF/IFAS EDIS https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-wc426-2022
Research posters
Podcast Episodes
Recommendations
- Share about the health and security of our nation’s food supply
- Promote positive messaging about those harvesting & delivering crops
- Identify special interest issues within your target audience
- Avoid temptation to join in messaging that builds on people’s fear
- Collaborate and communicate with other organizations
- Take the time to celebrate (& communicate) the good news
