Pandemic fatigue or enduring precautionary behaviours? Canadians’ long-term response to COVID-19 public health measures

Abstract

The long-term dynamics of COVID-19 disease incidence and public health measures may impact individuals’ precautionary behaviours as well as support for measures. The objectives of this study were to assess longitudinal changes in precautionary behaviours and support for public health measures. Survey data were collected online from 1030 Canadians in each of 5 cycles in 2020: June 15-July 13; July 22-Aug 8; Sept 7–15; Oct 14–21; and Nov 12–17. Precautionary behaviour increased over the study period in the context of increasing disease incidence. When controlling for the stringency of public health measures and disease incidence, mixed effects logistic regression models showed these behaviours did not significantly change over time. Odds ratios for avoiding contact with family and friends ranged from 0.84 (95% CI 0.59–1.20) in September to 1.25 (95% CI 0.66–2.37) in November compared with July 2020. Odds ratios for attending an indoor gathering ranged from 0.86 (95% CI 0.62–1.20) in August to 1.71 (95% CI 0.95–3.09) in October compared with July 2020. Support for non-essential business closures increased over time with 2.33 (95% CI 1.14–4.75) times higher odds of support in November compared to July 2020. Support for school closures declined over time with lower odds of support in September (OR 0.66 [95% CI 0.45–0.96]), October (OR 0.48 [95% CI 0.26–0.87]), and November (OR 0.39 [95% CI 0.19–0.81]) compared with July 2020. In summary, respondents’ behaviour mirrored government guidance between July and November 2020 and supported individual precautionary behaviour and limitations on non-essential businesses over school closures.

Keywords

• Longitudinal survey
• COVID-19
• Precautionary behaviour
• Public health measures