In July, two-thirds of the state’s registered voters (67%) felt the coronavirus health threat was becoming more serious in their area. Now, fewer than three in ten (28%) feel that way, according to a new Berkeley Institute of Governmental studies poll.

However the impact of the virus on the lives of Californians is reported more frequently by the state’s Latinos, and especially its Spanish speakers.

These results come from the latest statewide Berkeley IGS Poll completed online in English and Spanish September 9-15, 2020 among 7,198 California registered voters.

IGS Co-Director G. Cristina Mora stated, “The findings continue to show important racial disparities across the state. Latinos, especially those with immigrant backgrounds, continue to have higher pandemic-related economic and health risks today.”

Perceived Threat By Region

The poll reveals the decline in the perceived seriousness of the threat is fairly uniform across the state’s eight major regions.

In July, 66% of people in the Central Valley felt COVID-19 was becoming a more serious threat. In September, that number dropped to just 29% that felt it was becoming more serious.

Impact on Latino Voters

More than eight in ten Spanish speaking Latinos report that they, or their families, have been seriously impacted by the virus.

Black registered voters are also more likely than white non-Hispanic voters to report negative impacts on themselves and their families, although not to the same extent as Latino voters.

Two in three of the state’s registered voters (68%) recognize that Latino and Black Californians are more likely to be impacted by the virus than other populations.

COVID-19 Vaccine Support

74% of the state’s registered voters say they would likely get vaccinated if a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration were made available to them at no cost.