New Research: North Texans Split on COVID-19 Concerns

A study of residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area reveals a fault line in public opinion on COVID-19 between people who are more concerned about the economic impact of the pandemic and people who are more concerned about health outcomes. This is among the key findings from our work on behalf of Texas 2036, a group focused on the future of the state's economy.

While the fault line reflects political party identification, the most effective messages in support of precautionary behaviors transcend partisanship and revolve around the concept of respect. For instance, "wearing a mask shows respect for the first responders and healthcare professionals putting their lives on the line" is the statement seen as most convincing across every demographic group.