This time last year Americans were quarantined at home, businesses were shuttered, and the COVID-19 pandemic lay ominously over everyday life. Now, with many Americans vaccinated, mandates lifted, and life somewhat back to normal, Gallup says the list of major problems facing the country has shifted.
In April 2020, 45% of Americans said COVID-19 was the most important problem facing the U.S. Today, that number is 20% (13% among Republicans and 27% among Democrats), the lowest since the pandemic began. While COVID-19 remains the top issue facing the country, immigration (14%), the government (14%) and race relations (12%) are more important than they were a few months ago.
Not surprisingly, Americans view the country’s problems through a partisan lens. Immigration and the government are big problems facing the country in the eyes of Republicans (25% and 20%, respectfully). More Democrats, on the other hand, believe race relations is the most important problem facing the country today (19%).
As the country moves away from life under COVID-19 restrictions and shutdowns, both parties must grapple with the problems that arose as a result (businesses struggled to get workers, schools closed or open only a few days a week), in addition to problems arising from the Biden Administration’s latest actions, such as immigration and foreign policy.
