New Delhi, March 23 Majority of Ind are cautious but not afraid of coronavirus, while the majority of Ind are pleased the way the Modi government is handling the situation. These are some of the findings of the C-VOTER Gallup International Asaociation Corona Tracker 1, an exclusive first global poll on Covid-19.
According to the poll, as much as 41.8 per cent of people strongly disagree with the statement that they are afraid that either they or someone in their family may actually catch the coronavirus.
Moreover, 17.7 per cent disagree, which gives the government enough room to be happy that Ind are not yet panicking. However, 17.9 per cent do tend to agree that they are afraid and 21.2 per cent strongly agree to that.
At a time when more and more Ind are seen queuing up outside supermarkets to stockpile rations, this result should be reassuring to the government.
Talking about the government, the poll also shows a whopping 58.2 per cent strongly agreeing to the assertion that the Indian government is handling the coronavirus situation well. Another 25.4 per cent said they agree that the Narendra Modi government is doing well in containing the spread of the virus in India.
However, what should be a matter of concern for the government is that 41.5 per cent strongly agreed that "the threat from the coronavirus is exaggerated", while 18.5 per cent agreed to it.
At a time when the World Health Organization has dubbed Covid-19 to be a global pandemic and Modi himself urging Ind not to be complacent, the poll shows signs of complacency.
The sample size for the poll was 1,421. The field work was been done from March 17 to March 18.
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in India stands at 415, according to Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Eight people have succumbed to the virus so far.
( With inputs from IANS )