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Survey Shows Big Bend Residents Are Responding to Efforts to Stop COVID-19

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Residents across the Big Bend Area are increasingly satisfied with the community’s response to COVID-19, and willingness to be vaccinated – a central marker in the region’s fight against the relentless pandemic – is on the rise. Those are among key findings of a survey by the Safe & Healthy initiative, reflecting encouraging trends among area residents over the past four months.

While 25% of area residents still believe it is “too soon to know” whether the vaccines work, the portion finding at least one concern about receiving the vaccine has fallen by one-third. Among those still hesitant, the reason identified most often is concern over potential side effects or reaction, cited by 38% of respondents.

“This follow up survey shows two things clearly: First, communities across the Big Bend Area are making important progress enlisting residents to get vaccinated,” said Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey. “Second, now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. A lot of our neighbors are still reluctant to get vaccinated, and we must continue our efforts to inform and educate residents about the vaccine’s benefits to themselves and the entire region.”

Governor DeSantis has signed a new executive order suspending COVID emergency mandates in the state including wearing a mask and social distancing. That said, Big Bend leaders continue to promote residents to follow safe and healthy practices at their comfort level.

Since December, satisfaction with the community’s response has grown to encompass 4 in 5 area residents, a substantial increase from the 3 in 5 who said they were satisfied just four months earlier. Similarly, willingness to receive a vaccine has grown from 66% to 84%.

The follow-up survey was produced by the Safe & Healthy Initiative, a coalition of local governments and community organizations that have an important role in delivering the COVID response or providing information to the community about the latest response developments. The initiative covers Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties.

“The survey data shows that our community trusts the COVID-19 vaccines more month after month, but the virus still poses a threat,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Rick Minor. “As vaccine hesitancy continues to decline, we can’t let vaccine apathy take over. Everyone must take the opportunity to get educated about the vaccines and get the shots as soon as possible. It’s now easier than ever to get vaccinated so we can soon return to normal.”

Among the survey findings, including how they compare with December results, are:

  • 80% of respondents said in April that they are satisfied with their community’s response to COVID-19, an increase from 61% in December.
  • The number saying they are now “very satisfied” jumped 81%, from a rate of 26% in December to 47% now.
  • Residents of all age groups are now satisfied with the community response, but younger Big Bend residents are less likely to consider themselves so, with 68% of those ages 18-34 providing this response versus 84% of those 35 and older.
  • Willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine is increasing, with 84% now saying they would likely be vaccinated or have already done so, up from 66% in December.
  • The portion who say they are “very unlikely” to get vaccinated decreased from 22% to 9%. This sentiment is much stronger among Republican voters (18%) than Democratic voters (4%).
  • In the April survey, concerns about vaccinations were expressed by larger portions of both Black and Hispanic voters (66% each) than by white voters (40%).
  • Changes between the two surveys were statistically insignificant in responses to several broader questions (April percentages in parentheses), including whether:
    • Private employers should be able to require employees to receive a vaccine as a condition for returning to work (Yes: 57%).
      Public schools should require students and/or staff to receive a vaccine as a condition for attending in person? (Both students and staff: 55%)
    • Florida’s government should mandate that all residents receive the COVID-19 vaccine, unless there’s a medical reason to not do so (No: 54%)
    • Practicing social distancing helps prevent COVID-19 (Yes: 91%)
    • Wearing face masks helps prevent COVID-19? (Yes: 83%)

“The Safe & Healthy initiative is an important way for all the communities of the Big Bend region to work together to stop the spread of this horrible virus. There is still much to be done, but the survey results are encouraging by showing that more and more people are understanding the value of vaccinations and continued precautions,” said Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna.

“All of our efforts are now starting to bear fruit, and I want to make sure everyone has an opportunity for a safe and productive way of life should they choose to get vaccinated. We need to continue to help one another in order to save as many lives as possible,” said Gadsden County Chairperson Brenda Holt.

The most recent survey was conducted April 8-9 by Sachs Media’s Breakthrough Research division. It included 1,000 registered and had a margin of error of +/- 3.0%.