COVID-19 Community Tracking in Singapore, Wave 10 (16-21 Jun)

16-21 Jun, Wave 10

COVID19 Community Tracking Singapore How Are Singaporeans Responding to the Crisis?

Updated 25 Jun 2020

About The Tracking The data included in this tracking report comes from nine surveys conducted since Jan 2020. Below is a list of the surveys, field dates and respective sample sizes.

Survey Name

2

Data collected

Sample size

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jan-20

13-20 Jan

n=1,000

YouKnowANot (YKA) Feb-20

10-14 Feb

n=1,000

COVID-19 Asia

14-17 Feb

n=300

Budget 2020

19-20 Feb

n=750

YouKnowANot (YKA) Mar-20

9-19 Mar

n=1,000

Resilience Budget

27-29 Mar

n=779

World in Crisis (SG included in 23 country study)

6-7 Apr

n=300

Solidarity Budget

7-8 Apr

n=775

YouKnowANot (YKA) Apr-20 Wave 1

13-16 Apr

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Apr-20 Wave 2

20-27 Apr

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Apr-20 Wave 3

28-30 Apr

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) May-20 Wave 4

4-8 May

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) May-20 Wave 5

12-16 May

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) May-20 Wave 6

18-22 May

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) May-20 Wave 7

27-31 May

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jun-20 Wave 8

2-4 June

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jun-20 Wave 9

9-12 June

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jun-20 Wave 10

16-21 June

n=500

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Blackbox will be updating the tracking on a weekly basis until the end of June.

Fieldwork is conducted in the early part of every week.

Sampling Information The surveys included in this tracking report were all conducted online, using a geographically stratified sample to ensure representative demographic coverage of the population.

Our methodology also applies quota controls and is representative of the permanent adult Singapore population (citizen/PR), based on age, gender, ethnicity, housing type and region.

Blackbox has been conducting monthly studies of adult Singaporeans since 2015 using the same sampling methodology which is regularly adjusted to accounted for demographic changes in the population.

3

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

About Blackbox Research Blackbox Research is Singapore’s leading homegrown and fully independent social research agency. We specialise in data content and provide research and affiliated data-plus communications services for business, governments and non-governmental organisation clients across Asia.

In Singapore, Blackbox Research is recognised as the ‘go-to’ agency for community and policy insights, and enjoys a strong reputation as a reliable provider of insights on current issues and topics impacting societies across Southeast Asia. Visit www.blackbox.com.sg for further information.

If you wish to access more detailed information contained in this report or would like to add questions to our weekly studies, please contact chris@blackbox.com.sg Note to Readers This is the second last of our weekly COVID19 community reports. We will conclude our tracking of the crisis in the last full week of June and then go back to our day job and the monthly YKA reports. This project has been 100% self funded and is fully independent. It’s been fun and thanks for all the encouragement through out (and the brickbats!). Thanks also to my wonderful team at Blackbox for all their help with it. David

4

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Key Tracking Data

5

Major Takeaways – Third Week Post CB (16-21 June)

6

•

With most Singaporeans now taking advantage of out of home lifestyle (albeit limited), shoots of optimism are beginning to arise.

•

However, exposure to the wider world and trepidation about Phase Two reopenings are resulting in a rise in uncertainty and some confusion as to what lies ahead

•

At the same time, while more people are feeling happy, charitable and neighbourly feelings are beginning to decline and those who say they now feel indifferent is rising.

•

Given news of second waves of infection emerging in other countries along with the quick transition into Phase Two in SG, it also appears that Singaporeans are again more worried about the virus spreading. Those saying they believe infections rates have stabilised decreased in the latest tracking results

•

The latest data also shows a rise in the number of people saying their working hours are again on the rise while at the same time the sense that any financial support is on offer is declining

•

The Government’s performance metrics in handling the COVID19 situation also ticked up in the latest tracking after having dropped in the last two waves earlier in June

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Is Singapore Heading in the Right Direction?

Comment: Out and about again makes for happy campers

YKA J an- 20 13-20 Jan

75%

25%

YKA F eb-20 10-14 Feb

Budget 2020 19-20 Feb

YKA Ma r-20 9-19 Ma r

79%

80%

79%

21%

20%

21%

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

85%

83%

80%

15%

17%

20%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

76%

24%

Right Track

7

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA Ma y-20, W4 4-8 May

82%

80%

18%

20%

YKA Ma y-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA Ma y-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA Ma y-20, W7 27-31 May

84%

81%

84%

16%

19%

16%

Wrong Track

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore gs1. Generally speaking, do you feel that things in Singapore are heading in the right direction or would you say things are seriously heading in the wrong direction?

YKA J un-20, W 8 2-4 Jun

YKA J un-20, W 9 9-14 J un

80%

80%

20%

20%

YKA J un-20, W 10 16-21 Jun

85%

15%

Economic Sentiment Comment: Still over 50% say 2020 will be a worse year for them

Bud get 2020 19-20 Feb

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

26%

29%

18%

17%

18%

19%

45% 64%

64%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

23%

19%

25%

27%

52%

54%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W 5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W 6 18-22 May

23%

20%

22%

22%

25%

23%

24%

28%

56%

52%

57%

54%

47%

21%

Better

YKA May-20, W 4 4-8 May

Same

Worse

(Demographic breaks available on request) 8

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore gs2. Economically, do you expect 2020 is going to be better or worse for you personally, or about the same as 2019

YKA May-20, W 7 27-31 May

25%

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

19%

21%

24%

28%

27%

57%

53%

52%

20%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling?

Comment: Anxiety continues to fall but uncertainty still high and confusion has crept up

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

1. Uncertain 2. Frustrated/ Angry 3. Anxious

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

48%

46%

49%

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

44%

52%

48%

47%

47%

50%

50%

51%

41%

38%

39%

41%

58%

27%

30%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

32%

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

50%

45%

49%

47%

49%

45%

41%

42%

39%

35%

32%

41%

34%

36%

37%

35%

33%

24%

23%

26%

31%

24%

26%

YKA Jun-20, W10 Average 16-21 Jun

4. Scared

47%

5. Sad

43%

28%

28%

29%

29%

23%

24%

22%

22%

15%

16%

21%

18%

18%

17%

20%

19%

22%

17%

18%

18%

21%

6. Confused

9

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

37%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro1 Which of the following would you use to describe your own current mood as we progress through the current coronavirus crisis?

49% 43% 39% 30% 25% 19%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling? (contd.)

Comment: Singaporeans maybe uncertain, but they are getting happier!

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

6. Determined

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

8. Different

9. Happy

10. Indifferent

11. Neighbourly

10

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

11% 14%

7. Charitable /caring

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

12%

14%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

19%

17%

16%

17%

16%

15%

14%

12%

10%

7%

9%

10%

10%

8%

9%

7%

6%

5%

6% 8% 8%

11%

8%

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

14%

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

18%

18%

17%

YKA Jun-20, W10 Average 16-21 Jun

16% 11%

15% 14%

12%

15%

13%

12%

11%

11%

11%

11%

13%

12%

10%

10%

7%

7%

10%

12%

13%

16%

10%

7%

10%

9%

10%

13%

12%

10%

15%

10%

8%

11%

10%

7%

11%

9%

10%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro1 Which of the following would you use to describe your own current mood as we progress through the current coronavirus crisis?

6%

9%

COVID19: Impact on Day to Day Life in SG Comment: Few and fewer seeing CB as a big deal. Memories fade fast. We are moving on.

Resilience Budget Solidarity Budget 27-29 Mar 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

26%

32%

39%

35%

41%

36%

35%

35%

41%

31%

33%

30%

52%

52%

46%

49%

43%

47%

51%

47%

46%

50%

46%

49%

18%

14%

13%

15%

14%

16%

12%

14%

18%

18%

2%

2%

1%

2%

1%

2%

19%

4%

4%

11% 2%

1%

2%

3%

Complete change

11

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro2 How much has the coronavirus impacted your day to day life in recent weeks?

Considerable change

Small change

No change

Encounters with COVID-19 Comment: No change.

Resilience Budget Solidarity Budget 27-29 Mar 7-8 Apr

Rank

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

1

I’ve had to go through a period of selfisolation/quarantine

8%

8%

10%

10%

9%

8%

9%

9%

10%

11%

10%

10%

2

One of my friends or work colleagues has contracted the coronavirus

5%

5%

6%

6%

6%

6%

4%

7%

6%

7%

6%

6%

6%

3

One of my family members has contracted the coronavirus

4%

3%

4%

3%

3%

3%

3%

4%

5%

4%

3%

3%

3%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

12

YKA Jun-20, W10 Average 16-12 Jun

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro3 Which of the following have you personally experienced during the current coronavirus crisis?

9%

Anticipated Infection Trends in Singapore Comment: Now we are into phase two, Singaporeans are less certain that infections will stabilize.

Resilience Budget Solidarity Budget 27-29 Mar 7-8 Apr

42%

35%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

38%

34%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

17%

14%

13%

32%

30%

30%

26%

27%

27%

22%

18%

22%

20%

25%

30%

34%

37%

39%

20%

17%

20%

5%

5%

8%

9%

2%

3%

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

14%

11%

10%

11%

29%

33%

34%

35%

35%

38%

39%

34%

16%

13%

14%

4%

4%

11%

34%

4% 2%

8% 3%

21% 6%

Increase a lot

13

YKA May-20, W4 YKA May-20, W5 YKA May-20, W6 YKA May-20, W7 4-8 May 12-16 May 18-22 May 27-31 May

Increase a little

Stabilize

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro4 In your opinion, over the next two weeks do you think the daily number of new coronavirus cases in Singapore will:

8% Decrease a little

7%

Decrease a lot

16% 4%

Will I Get Infected?

Comment: Starting to creep up again.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

1%

1%

11%

10%

11%

9% 23%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

32%

25%

36%

33%

22%

52%

52%

51%

49%

16%

12%

15%

17%

14

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

1%

1%

0%

2%

1%

1%

11%

9%

9%

12%

11%

9%

1% 32%

22%

Very likely

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

9% 15%

25%

48%

53%

20%

22%

Quite likely

20%

32%

19%

53%

18%

I’ve contracted the virus already

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro5 How likely do you think it is that you will catch the coronavirus in the next six months?

30%

21%

30%

32%

31%

22%

18%

19%

48%

50%

52%

52%

22%

18%

18%

17%

Not very likely

Not likely at all

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

1%

12% 32%

22%

47%

17%

35%

Financial Stress Due to COVID-19 Comment: Working hours are rising again following end of CB. Sense of getting financial support is dropping off.

% Respondents who answered “Yes”

Working more hours during the current crisis Working less hours during the current crisis Earning more during the current crisis Earning less during the current crisis Getting financial support from the government during the crisis Getting financial support from your employer during the crisis Getting financial support from my family during the crisis

15

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

32%

30%

28%

29%

28%

30%

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

28%

33% 38%

39% 25%

58%

55%

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

62%

59%

58%

56%

57%

55%

48%

Average

32%

53%

19%

14%

21%

15%

18%

24%

19%

17%

26%

55%

55%

56%

54%

56%

58%

55%

55%

52%

53%

52%

47%

48%

46%

51%

55%

48%

48%

41%

51%

21%

25%

28%

32%

25%

29%

37%

28%

25%

27%

24%

26%

29%

27%

28%

31%

28%

10% 31%

77%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro10 Are you…

23%

33%

40%

18%

28%

30%

Government Performance Metrics Comment: Workplace protocols improving again after taking a dive in early part of Stage One. Also, message clarity improved following announcement of Phase Two. Performance Metric % who rated Excellent (top box)

Keeping the public informed with accurate information about the virus Efforts to reduce public panic

COVID-19 Asia 14-17 Feb

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

29%

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

24%

Solidarity Budget YKA Apr-20, W1 7-8 Apr 13-16 Apr

30%

38% 23%

29%

27%

19%

24%

26%

33%

YKA May-20, W4 YKA May-20, W5 YKA May-20, W6 YKA May-20, W7 4-8 May 12-16 May 18-22 May 27-31 May

17%

24%

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W10 Average 16-21 Jun

31%

28%

29%

29%

28%

28%

21%

22%

27%

23%

23%

25%

20%

22%

21%

25%

24%

27%

20%

20%

23%

25%

23%

29%

23%

22%

25%

23%

23%

24%

22%

26%

23%

20%

27%

26%

26%

20%

25%

29%

24%

23%

28%

27%

25%

23%

28%

20%

26%

26%

23%

21%

24%

20%

19%

21%

19%

25%

26%

24%

23%

27%

21%

16%

23%

23%

Monitoring people’s temperature when entering public buildings

25%

26%

Minimizing the risk of people bringing the virus from another country

21%

23%

17%

24%

Efforts to reduce the spread of fake news and misinformation about the virus

24%

27%

19%

25%

23%

23%

15%

24%

16

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

34%

Putting in place action plans to reduce the risk of the virus spreading

Advising employers on how to minimize workplace health risks during the current outbreak

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

27%

30% 13%

28%

26%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro08 When it comes to the coronavirus, how good a job is the Government doing in each of the following areas:

24%

24%

24%

24%

23%

23%

Crisis Takeaways Comment: The upshot – Government has done well but not been perfect.

Very believable

37%

33%

32%

47%

45%

42%

14%

18%

21%

2%

SG has had to spend a lot more money than other countries who have less infections

17

3%

LKY would have handled this crisis better

5% Failure to manage the virus amongst foreign workers tarnished the reputation of SG and PAP

Quite believable

Quite unbelievable

Very unbelievable

31%

29%

29%

26%

26%

26%

26%

52%

57%

54%

54%

51%

49%

43%

12%

14%

16%

16%

20%

3%

3%

3%

7%

5%

The PAP has done a good job as SG has lost very few lives

SG will do well in the future because our strengths are not easy to replicate

The PAP has done a good job to protect workers and businesses

13% 5% SG has handled the crisis better than other Governments

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore wb8 Here are some things people have said about the PAP Government’s handling of the COVID19 pandemic. Please indicate if you find each…

The crisis highlighted new 4G leaders in the PAP, and they have performed well

The crisis reveals why SG needs a larger Opposition for accountability

26%

5% Too many decisions and U-turns made by the PAP confused Singaporeans.

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