Skip to main content
Tags: gallup | social distancing | pandemic | study | americans

Gallup Poll: Americans Increase Social Distancing Practices

a graphic showing how a sneeze can pass a virus
(Dreamstime)

By    |   Tuesday, 24 March 2020 05:39 PM EDT

Americans have boosted their efforts in the past week to practice social distancing in response to the coronavirus, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday.

Seventy-two percent of American adults said they are avoiding public places such as stores and restaurants, a significant jump from the 54% reporting this last week.

Gallup said the greater adherence of the public to precautions is notable, because it demonstrates the efforts by national and state officials to press the importance of such measure to the population is working.

Other results from the survey indicate:

  • The largest percentage shift has been in those avoiding small gatherings of people, which has shot up 22 percentage points to 68% from only 46% in last week's poll.
  • 93% of Americans are avoiding events with large crowds, up from 79% who were doing to so last week.
  • Those who say they are staying away from air travel or mass transit has gone up to 87% from 75% last week.

These findings are based on polling conducted by web using the Gallup Panel, a probability-based panel of U.S. adults, aged 18 and older. Gallup has been tracking social distancing practices nightly by Americans on the Gallup Panel since March 13, and is reporting the findings in multiday averages.

Related Stories

Brian Freeman

Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.

US
Americans have boosted their efforts in the past week to practice social distancing in response to the coronavirus, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday.
gallup, social distancing, pandemic, study, americans
232
2020-39-24
Tuesday, 24 March 2020 05:39 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved