Editor's Note: The research below was conducted in partnership between Franklin Templeton and Gallup.WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new analysis from Franklin Templeton and Gallup finds that a number of factors -- such as state mask mandates, anticipation of extreme consequences from COVID-19 and misperceptions of the virus's severity -- are predictive of Americans' confidence that they can protect themselves from COVID-19.
The analysis also finds that those more confident about protecting themselves are more likely to visit public establishments, helping to spur the economy while still respecting public health guidelines.These results are based on more than 5,000 web-based surveys completed Sept.