Just 12 percent in new poll rate public health issues like coronavirus a top national priority

Only 12 percent of American adults questioned in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll said they would rate public health issues, such as COVID-19, as a top priority.

That percentage is down from 20 percent in February, showing a gradual shift in focus toward other issues such as inflation and the job market.

The new poll showed 73 percent of adults want political leaders to focus on job and economic growth, according to the news service.

Additionally, two-thirds of respondents, including majorities in both parties, say, “inflation is a very big concern for me.”

Nicholas Valentino, a University of Michigan political scientist, said, “Americans are ready to stop worrying about the coronavirus” after nearly two years of the pandemic, according to Reuters.

“When they look around they see other problems that need to be addressed,” he added. “They see job listings everywhere. They’re waiting in long lines at the grocery stores. They’re waiting for things to be delivered because the supply chain is slow.”

Pollsters also found that nearly 90 percent of Democrats surveyed support taxing the wealthy as a priority for their party in 2022, 76 percent say climate change should be a top priority and 78 percent say it is “too easy to access guns,” according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Republicans overwhelmingly say the GOP should focus on the economy, inflation, tax cuts and government deregulation.

The poll was conducted from Oct. 18-22 among 4,430 adults and has margins of error ranging between 2 to 5 percentage points.