The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on America, exposing deep-seated issues that have contributed to a crisis of trust in the country. Over the past two years, the pandemic has brought to the forefront the erosion of confidence in the government and scientific institutions. A series of eight charts reveals a disturbing trend of dwindling trust among Americans, which threatens the very foundation of the country’s democracy.
The first chart shows a significant decline in trust in the federal government, with only 24% of Americans expressing confidence in the government’s ability to handle domestic problems. This is a far cry from the 54% trust level recorded in 1964. The decline in trust is not limited to the government; the second chart reveals a similar trend in trust in science, with 45% of Americans saying they have a great deal of confidence in the scientific community, down from 51% in 1978.
The third chart highlights the partisan divide in trust in the government, with 42% of Democrats expressing trust in the government, compared to just 10% of Republicans. This partisan divide is also reflected in the fourth chart, which shows a significant gap in trust in science between Democrats and Republicans. The fifth chart reveals a disturbing trend of declining trust in the media, with only 24% of Americans saying they have a great deal of confidence in the media.
The sixth chart highlights the impact of the pandemic on trust in public health institutions, with 62% of Americans saying they have a great deal of confidence in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the seventh chart reveals a decline in trust in the CDC over the past year, with 21% of Americans saying they have lost trust in the institution. The final chart shows a significant correlation between trust in science and vaccination rates, with states with higher trust in science having higher vaccination rates.
The crisis of trust in America is a complex issue, with multiple factors contributing to the decline in confidence in the government and scientific institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed these underlying issues, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in government and science. As America struggles to come to terms with the pandemic, it is clear that rebuilding trust will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, scientific institutions, and the media.