Australians worried about infection and jobs due to COVID-19

Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels - Two-thirds of Australians say they feel anxious or worried about their own and others' safety and more than 600,000 have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, according to a new study from The Australian National University. Almost four-in-10 people say they feel it is either very likely or likely that they will be infected with the coronavirus in the next six months. Published today, the study is the first longitudinal examination of the social, mental, economic and political impacts of the coronavirus. It assesses people's attitudes and experiences of COVID-19 before and during the pandemic. The researchers, Professor Nicholas Biddle and Professor Matthew Gray, say the findings paint a picture of "hardship and distress, but also resilience". Co-author Professor Nicholas Biddle said Australians were also feeling extremely anxious about job security. "Australians' perceived levels of job insecurity are very high.