As some states move to loosen social distancing rules and others crack down with tighter restrictions, a new study has found that nearly 3 in 4 American adults say they’ll hit a “breaking point” if these shutdown regulations persist until mid-June.
The survey, commissioned by consumer insights and strategy consulting firm Kelton Global, also found that a full 100 percent of the study’s 1,895 respondents said they’d hit their limit if the shutdown lasted for six months. Roughly 1 in 6 said they’ve already hit their breaking point, reporting higher levels of loneliness, increased anxiety over doing everyday things like going to the grocery store, and conflict with in-home family members.
And it looks like the younger the person, the harder it is for them to cope with the new – hopefully temporary – way of life. Over half of those between 18 and 24 years old say they’ll reach their breaking point in another month, with 35 percent saying they’ve already hit their mental limit. Conversely, only 22 percent of adults over the age of 45 say they’ve reached their max.
There's also a disparity when it comes to gender. One in five women, who are more likely to be trying to balance working from home with increased domestic duties, all with a lack of childcare, say they've reached their limit with the social distancing rules, while only 12 percent of men say they've hit their own personal wall.
But even as people say they can’t take the shutdown much longer, they also say life isn’t going back to normal anytime soon – if ever. The study also found a prevalence of Americans say air travel will never been the same (75%), as well as concerts (71%), movie theaters (67%) and hotels (66%).
More than 60 percent say they’re concerned about the health of their family members.
Luckily for those who say they're reaching their limit, some states have begun loosening the reins on social distancing measures, with Georgia, South Carolina and Texas beginning to open for business after several weeks of closures. Other states and localities, however, are extending shutdown rules through at least mid-May, including New York, Michigan, D.C., parts of California.