SWS: 87% of Filipinos worried family members may get infected with virus

MANILA, Philippines — The worry of Filipinos that their immediate family members may catch COVID-19 was greater than all past worries about viruses, according to the results of a special Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

Compared to past SWS surveys, the poll showed that the fear of catching COVID-19 (87 percent) was greater than worries about catching Ebola (82 percent) in 2014, swine flu (82 percent) in 2009, bird flu (83 percent) in 2006 and (80 percent) in 2004, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) (78 percent) in 2003.

The survey, conducted through mobile phone and computer assisted telephone interviews from May 4 to 10, also found that there were more people worried that anyone in their immediate family might catch COVID-19 than those actively taking precautions to prevent its spread.

Amid Filipinos’ worries that a family member might get sick with the novel coronavirus, Malacañang appealed to the public to continue observing health protocols for their safety.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Filipinos should continue observing precautionary measures such as physical distancing and personal hygiene to avoid catching the disease.

“We should be worried about COVID-19 especially that there is no vaccine or cure. But it doesn’t mean that we should stop going on with our lives,” Roque said.

He pointed out that the government was slowly reopening the economy so people can go back to their sources of livelihood.

“We need to be extra careful by wearing face masks, washing one’s hands, observing physical distancing and having a strong immune system,” Roque said.

The survey showed that, since the beginning of the pandemic, only 77 percent of Filipinos said they “always use a face mask when going out of their houses,” only 68 percent said they “always wash their hands several times a day,” and only 64 percent said they “always keep social distance” or a safe distance of one meter from other people every time they go outside their homes.

—Julie M. Aurelio and Inquirer Research