It turns out British Columbians think significantly more of their own efforts to socially distance than the efforts of their fellow residents.
A new Insights West poll conducted this past week reveals 89 per cent of B.C. residents rate themselves an eight, nine or 10 out of 10 on social distancing, but believe others are doing a poor job of it.
Just four per cent of respondents gave others a score of 10, compared with 41 per cent who scored themselves as a 10.
Only 35 per cent of respondents rated the rest of the province as an eight, nine or 10 on the scale. Most residents rated the efforts of others as a six or seven (47 per cent) while the remaining 17 per cent gave others a rating of five or lower.
When assessing their own efforts, nobody graded themselves as a three or lower. Just 11 per cent rated themselves between a four and seven, despite most residents leaving their homes multiple times per week to run errands like getting groceries or gas.
The survey showed the average resident has left their house 1.8 times this past week to shop for groceries, once per week for other shopping needs, and 2.8 times to walk or exercise.
Younger generations are perceived as being less compliant with social distancing regulations than older people, with just two per cent of respondents giving young adults a 10, and only 13 per cent scoring them eight or higher.
The majority (55 per cent) rate this group a five or lower on the scale, but young adults aged 18 to 34 do not share this perception of themselves.
In fact, they rate their own social distancing behaviour higher than the public average, with 91 per cent rating themselves an eight, nine or 10.
Insights West president Steve Mossop says the survey provides a fascinating look into how we perceive ourselves and others during this pandemic.
“It’s an interesting phenomenon that individually we think we are doing a good job in social distancing, but we don’t think our neighbour is doing the same.
"I believe public instances of shaming offenders—whether it be social media or news-driven, has given us the perception that we are doing worse as a society than what we are actually doing. However; I’m a bit surprised at the extent to which people are leaving their homes—clearly we can do a better job on this front.”
- with files from Laura Brookes, Castanet
