BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Corona Monitor
The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Corona Monitor is a recurring representative survey on the risk perception of the population in Germany towards the novel coronavirus. Since 24 March 2020, randomly selected people have been asked by telephone on a regular base about their perception of the risk of infection and the protective measures they have taken.
Objectives
The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Corona Monitor was a tool for systematically observing and analysing the opinions, behaviours and psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among the population. Like the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Consumer Monitor, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Corona Monitor is based on regular surveys of a representative sample of the population. From March 2020 to April 2023, data was collected on various aspects, including risk perception regarding the virus, acceptance of and compliance with protective measures, trust in institutions, mental well-being, and the social and economic consequences of the pandemic. Repeating these surveys over time made it possible to track and analyse changes in public opinion and behaviour as the pandemic progressed.
The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Corona Monitor provided a comprehensive and timely picture of the experiences and attitudes of the population during the coronavirus pandemic. The insights gained served several important purposes: They provided a basis for scientific analysis of the pandemic's impact at the individual and societal levels. They helped policymakers and health authorities better understand the needs and concerns of the population and develop and adapt evidence-based measures to contain the pandemic and manage its consequences. In addition, the Corona Monitor helped to optimise communication strategies by identifying what information the population needs and how it can best be communicated. Ultimately, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Corona Monitor aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the pandemic and its manifold effects in order to be better prepared to deal with future crises.
Survey results at a glance
The questionnaire can be found Download:here[AUTO-DE] Overview of the BfR-Corona-Monitor questionnaire (status 11 April 2023) (HTM, 901 B, not accessible).
In the week before the Easter holidays, the proportion of respondents who got tested for coronavirus dropped by 8 percent compared to the previous month and now stands at 40 percent. On the other hand, the proportion of those who use disinfectants more often to protect themselves from coronavirus infection rose (47 percent vs. 38 percent). The perceived controllability of infection is highest in the 14-39 age group. Here, 43 percent say they are confident or very confident that they can protect themselves from infection – the proportion is lowest among 40-59-year-olds, at 37 percent.
The people in Germany are taking individual measures more frequently again to protect themselves and others from the novel coronavirus: 48 percent of respondents to the latest BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment-Corona-Monitor reported getting tested for infection - an increase of 8 percent compared to last month. The proportion of people who wash their hands more thoroughly (67 vs. 70 percent) or use the Corona-Warn-App (34 vs. 37 percent) to protect themselves also increased during this period.
The perceived probability of infection with the novel corona virus continues to decrease in some areas: In January, 30 percent of respondents to the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Corona Monitor rated the probability of infection in shops for daily needs as high or very high, while this proportion now lies at 23 percent. The values for the probability of infection in public transportation (51 to 47 percent) and in catering establishments (33 to 29 percent) have also fallen.