As many provinces across the country have started to ease up on COVID-19 related restrictions, a recent poll has found the majority of Canadians are stressed about leaving their homes.
The survey conducted by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies determined 57 per cent of people feel anxious when they venture out into a public space.
These sentiments were the strongest in Ontario with 64 per cent of respondents and the lowest in Alberta with 48 per cent. Even though Quebec has the most reported cases of COVID-19 at 38,480, only 49 per cent of residents were concerned to leave their homes.
The survey also found that 97 per cent of Canadians are practicing social distancing.
Christian Bourque, Leger’s executive vice-president told Canadian Press that the commitment and carefulness needed to maintain a certain level of personal space is likely contributing to stress in people’s lives.
“Every time I go out grocery shopping, which I do because it’s a necessity, somebody wants to pick the same avocados I’m looking at,” he said. “There’s always somebody in your bubble at some point, even though we try to do our best.”
Forty-two per cent of respondents said they are wearing a protective mask in public areas, but 21 per cent said they are visiting their friends and family right now.
Those failing to comply with public health measures were more likely men than women, as 46 per cent of men said they either failed to distance, wash their hands more than usual, cough into their elbow, or stopped going out for necessities. Higher rates of non-compliance were also seen in those aged 18 to 34 (48 per cent).