The survey reveals that Hungarians are realistic about the severity of the pandemic situation. 81 percent of those surveyed were concerned about the problem of the spread of the coronavirus, and only 18 percent expressed a different view. In this context, 52 percent of the respondents believe that the spread of the pandemic in their own environment is stagnant, while 37 percent experience an acceleration in the rate of infections. The proportion of those who say the spread of the coronavirus has been slowing or stopped is only seven percent.
Hungary can curb the pandemic again, but the fight has not ended yet
With the start of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the Government of Hungary has made it clear that both human lives and jobs must be protected and that the country's viability must be maintained, subject to compliance with certain protection measures. Accordingly, the control strategy focuses on the compliance with general hygienic, distancing and mask wearing rules. Századvég has examined the Hungarian population’s perception of the spread of the pandemic and the related protection measures.
Effective defence
It can be stated that the Hungarian population ranks Hungary among the countries with a successful defence. The survey shows that 60 percent of those surveyed are satisfied with the way the government has dealt with the situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic so far, while 38 percent expressed dissatisfaction. According to 71 percent of the respondents, the pandemic situation is difficult, but Hungary will be able to stop the spread of the coronavirus again, and only 25 percent of them see the pandemic as uncontrollable.
As our country was able to successfully slow down the spread of the pandemic in the spring, and thus there was an opportunity to prepare the healthcare system, the control strategy in the second wave has changed. A social consensus seems to be outlined in relation to the latter. The research reveals that 95 percent of the respondents agree that we should have a functioning economy and Hungarian people should be allowed to work, while four percent oppose it.
In parallel, more than three-quarters of the respondents (77 percent) think that compliance with wearing a mask, tests and a proper follow-up and quarantine of the infected are the most important elements in the defence, and only 17 percent of them consider it necessary to introduce further restrictions and tightening.
At the same time, 73 percent of Hungarians say that stricter hygiene rules should be set and consistently monitored, while 25 percent find no reason for this step. The proportion of those who support the introduction of movement restrictions, the closure of educational institutions and the shutdown of the economy is 16 per cent. In contrast, 81 percent of the respondents disagree with the introduction of these measures.
Compliance with the rules of wearing a mask and social distancing are important
The survey points out that those breaking the rules of wearing a mask and social distancing are held responsible for the pandemic situation in Hungary by 86 percent of the respondents, and the institutions, shops and service providers not complying with the regulations in questions are held responsible by 77 percent. In contrast, 12 and 20 percent, respectively, say that the responsibility of these individuals and institutions cannot be established in this issue. In addition, according to 70 percent of Hungarians, those who introduced the coronavirus from abroad could be held responsible for the pandemic situation, while 28 percent of them took the opposite view.