COVID-19 Community Tracking in Singapore, Wave 9 (9-14 Jun)

9-14 Jun, Wave 9

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

Updated 18 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

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 dataplus 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

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COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Key Tracking Data

5

Major Takeaways – Second Week Post CB (9-14 June)

6

•

Singaporeans’ mood continues to improve although feelings of uncertainty remain high. Anger/frustration has declined while those who say they are feeling ‘happy’ are creeping up slowly

•

A wider read of the latest metrics suggests that Singaporeans are starting to leave the initial epidemiological stage of the virus behind them and are increasingly focused on the economic landscape ahead of them

•

The number of people who were able to increase their salary during the CB period appears to have peeled away in the last week or two suggesting that certain crisis activity is giving way to a resumption of more typical economic activity. Those claiming they are earning lower wages remain stubbornly over 50%

•

The first pre-GE broadcast (featuring the Prime Minister) attracted a sizeable audience (four in five Singaporeans picked up on at least some of the content), with many acknowledging the mix of optimism and more sombre tones in the PM’s speech

•

Singaporeans also reacted quite differently to various aspects of the speech – broader messaging on Singaporeans living through the crisis and regaining strength were widely endorsed but Singaporeans expressed less confidence that the Government will be there to support everyone and ensure no one falls behind

•

After declining last week, the Government Performance metrics have not rebounded. Moreover, Singaporeans appear less than convinced that efforts to ensure workplace health risks are being adhered to. The Government will need to monitor employer protocols closely given ongoing concerns.

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Is Singapore Heading in the Right Direction?

Comment: Rock solid.

YKA Jan -20 13-20 Jan

75%

25%

YKA Feb-20 10-14 Feb

Bud get 2020 19-20 Feb

YKA Mar-20 9-19 Mar

79%

80%

79%

21%

20%

21%

Resilience Budget Solidarity Budget YKA Apr-20, W1 YKA Apr-20, W2 YKA Apr-20, W3 YKA May-20, W 4 YKA May-20, W 5 YKA May-20, W 6 YKA May-20, W 7 YKA Jun-20, W8 YKA Jun-20, W9 27-29 Mar 7-8 Apr 13-16 Apr 20-27 Apr 28-30 Apr 4-8 May 12-16 May 18-22 May 27-31 May 2-4 Jun 9-14 Jun

85%

83%

80%

76%

15%

17%

20%

24%

Right Track

7

82%

80%

84%

81%

84%

80%

80%

18%

20%

16%

19%

16%

20%

20%

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?

Economic Sentiment Comment: Still more than half of Singaporeans think 2020 will be a worse year economically than last.

Bud get 2020 19-20 Feb

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

26% 29%

45%

18%

17%

18%

19%

64%

64%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

23%

19%

25%

52%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W 5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W 6 18-22 May

21%

23%

20%

22%

27%

22%

25%

23%

24%

28%

54%

56%

52%

57%

54%

47%

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

20%

19%

24%

28%

57%

53%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling?

Comment: Uncertainty holding while anger and frustration falling along with sadness.

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%

45%

41%

42%

39%

35%

41%

34%

36%

37%

35%

31%

24%

26%

24%

23%

4. Scared

47%

5. Sad

43%

28%

28%

29%

29%

23%

24%

22%

22%

15%

21%

18%

18%

17%

20%

19%

22%

17%

18%

18%

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?

Average

49% 44% 39% 30% 26% 19%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling? (contd.)

Comment: Happiness is on the rise.

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

6. Determined

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

11%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

19%

17%

16%

17%

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

18%

18%

17%

12%

15%

13%

12%

11%

11%

13%

10%

11%

9%

10%

9%

15%

12%

14%

16%

15%

14%

12%

8. Different

10%

7%

9%

10%

10%

11%

11%

9. Neighbourly

11%

8%

8%

8%

11%

10%

7%

8%

9%

7%

6%

10%

7%

7%

10%

12%

13%

9%

6%

8%

7%

10%

9%

10%

13%

12%

10%

9%

10. Happy

11. Indifferent

14%

Average

14% 7. Charitable /caring

10

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

5%

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?

14%

COVID19: Impact on Day to Day Life in SG Comment: How quickly we move on. With CB behind us, more people starting to feel their life has not been disrupted so much.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 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

26%

32%

39%

35%

41%

36%

52%

52%

46%

49%

43%

18%

14%

13%

15%

4%

2%

2%

1%

Complete change

11

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

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

35%

35%

41%

31%

33%

47%

51%

47%

46%

50%

46%

14%

16%

12%

14%

18%

1%

2%

19%

2%

4%

11% 2%

1%

2%

Considerable change

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

Small change

No change

Encounters with COVID-19 Comment: No change.

Rank

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 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, 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%

2

One of my friends or work colleagues has contracted the coronavirus

5%

5%

6%

6%

6%

6%

4%

7%

6%

7%

6%

6%

3

One of my family members has contracted the coronavirus

4%

3%

4%

3%

3%

3%

3%

4%

5%

4%

4%

3%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

12

Average

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: Stabilization now seen as most likely trend ahead.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

42%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

35%

38%

34%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

17%

14%

13%

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

32%

30%

30%

26%

27%

27%

22%

18%

22%

20%

25%

30%

34%

37%

39%

20%

17%

20%

5%

5%

8%

9%

2%

3%

3%

21%

14%

11%

10%

29%

33%

34%

35%

38%

39%

16%

13%

14%

7% 8%

13

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

8%

6%

Increase a lot

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

11%

34%

4% 2%

YKA May-20, W7 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:

Decrease a little

Decrease a lot

4%

4%

Will I Get Infected?

Comment: Steady. One in three still think they will get infected.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

1%

1%

11%

9% 23%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

32%

25%

11% 36%

22%

14

33%

22%

52%

51%

49%

16%

12%

15%

17%

Quite likely

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%

10%

52%

Very likely

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

32%

9% 15%

53%

22%

25%

20%

32%

48%

20%

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?

19%

30%

21%

30%

32%

18%

19%

31%

22%

53%

48%

50%

52%

52%

18%

22%

18%

18%

17%

Not very likely

Not likely at all

32%

Financial Stress Due to COVID-19 Comment: With CB now at an end, the percentage of people claiming they were earning more has dropped away, possibly due to activity returning to normal. However, those saying they are earning less continue to hold steady. % Respondents who answered “Yes”

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

32%

30%

Working more hours during the current crisis

25%

Earning more during the current crisis

10%

Earning less during the current crisis

31%

Getting financial support from your employer during the crisis Getting financial support from my family during the crisis

15

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro10 Are you…

28%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

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%

58%

55%

62%

59%

58%

56%

57%

55%

19%

14%

21%

15%

18%

24%

19%

17%

55%

55%

56%

54%

56%

58%

55%

55%

52%

47%

48%

46%

51%

55%

48%

48%

21%

25%

28%

32%

25%

29%

37%

28%

25%

24%

26%

23%

29%

27%

28%

31%

77%

33%

40%

Average

31%

39%

Working less hours during the current crisis

Getting financial support from the government during the crisis

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

54%

17%

53%

52%

28%

30%

PM’s COVID19 Broadcast on June7 Comment: The content of the PM’s latest COVID19 broadcast reached at least 4 in 5 Singaporeans. But less than half would describe it as optimistic. Many heard uncertainty and caution.

Who Tuned in?

46%

Did the speech sound…?

11%

29%

44%

High Attention

Totally Optimistic

33%

46% Mixed Tone

37%

16%

34%

Medium Attention

21%

Low Attention

16% 18% 16%

9% Totally Pessimistic

5%

16

Only 35% of those in the Pioneer Generation found the speech to be optimistic

9% 7% 2%

Watched/Listened to the speech live

Read the speech online afterwards

Heard about it but not followed up

Very Optimistic

Both optimistic and pessimistic

Quite pessimistic

Watched/Listened to it later online

Followed the news highlights

Not aware he gave the speech

Quite optimistic

Neither/Don't Know

Very pessimistic

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

PM’s COVID19 Broadcast: The Messages Comment: Rallying call resonated strongly but more muted opinion with respect to the PM’s messages directed at reassuring Singaporeans that Government support will help all in need.

50%

43% 6% 1%

Singaporeans must adjust the way they live, work and play to stay safe

Strongly Agree

17

44%

37%

35%

34%

31%

29%

28%

26%

48%

51%

51%

53%

52%

52%

51%

55%

10%

12%

11%

12%

14%

15%

2%

3%

2%

5%

5%

5%

In the future, all Singaporeans must be self-reliant

Singapore has made good progress so far in dealing with the COVID19 crisis

For those who struggle, the Government will take care of you

6% 2%

Workers will have to learn new skills to stay employed

Mildly Agree

Singapore emerged out of a crisis strong and resilient. It can do the same again in the future

Mildly Disagree

Singapore will emerge stronger from the crisis

Singapore will continue to be a fair and just society where everyone can chase their dreams

Strongly Disagree

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore cb19_new Here are some of the points and topics covered in the PM’s speech. He outlined both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each. Is that…

15% 4% If you need a job, you will receive the necessary help and support

Government Performance Metrics Comment: Return to work protocols an issue for Singaporeans. Employees uncertain about potential risks.

Performance Metric % who rated Excellent (top box)

Keeping the public informed with accurate information about the virus

COVID-19 Asia 14-17 Feb

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

29%

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

24%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

30%

38% 29%

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

24%

27%

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

23%

Monitoring people’s temperature when entering public buildings

25%

Minimizing the risk of people bringing the virus from another country

21%

23%

17%

24%

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

23%

23%

15%

24%

18

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

27%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

33%

31%

34%

23%

Efforts to reduce public panic

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

19%

24%

19%

25%

17%

24%

22%

26%

28%

20%

26%

26%

20%

27%

20%

25%

24%

23%

28%

26%

19%

25%

26%

28%

23%

27%

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

29%

28%

28%

21%

22%

23%

23%

25%

20%

22%

23%

21%

24%

20%

19%

25%

24%

27%

20%

20%

23%

22%

23%

23%

21%

16%

29%

30% 26%

13%

26%

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:

29%

27%

26%

23%

29%

25%

23%

28%

24%

23%

27%

25%

Average

24%

24%

24%

24%

24%

23%

+65 6323 1351 Blackbox Research is a Singapore based data content specialist. We provide research and affiliated data and communications services for business, government and NGO clients across Asia.

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