Australians either try to avoid Covid-19 or want to get back to their normal lives
New data has revealed Covid-19 has created two different types of Australians as we all adapt to new ways of living. Have your say.
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It’s dominated our national psyche and way of life more than two years – and it seems we now fall into two camps: Covid-19 Avoider or Covid-19 Chaser.
An analysis of 17,000 credit card and bank transactions of 2000 Australians across two weeks in January by research company Nature found those who had contracted and recovered from Covid-19 were starting to leave their homes and open their wallets again.
The survey found more than half of respondents were “seeking balance/normality” to their lives and were starting to relax more when it came to socialising.
Bank records showed 54 per cent of people spent money on a meal out and drinks, while 67 per cent met up with family, while almost half used ride-shares and taxis.
The analysis found for those who have avoided catching Covid, 55 per cent spent less on dining out, while 40 per cent saved money on petrol – spending more time at home online shopping and ordering food.
Alarming, a third of people revealed they were actively trying to catch Covid-19 with the belief the Omicron strain is “less serious” than the Delta strain.
“We did find a large group who wanted to balance their response to Covid,” Senior Consultant at Nature Jonny Wall said.
“They’re keen to get out, socialise, and return to normal like having meals out with friends while still taking responsible precautions including avoiding public transport and wearing masks.
Psychologist Dr Hsien-Jin Teoh said it largely comes down to the “onus shifting” onto the individual to “regulate their own risks and their risks to others”.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been flooded with information and images showing us the many serious risks associated with catching Covid,” the Australian College of Applied Professions psychologist said.
“After all, none of us want to pass the virus on to our family members, friends, colleagues, or people who are immune deficient.
“So reducing social activities becomes a key way that we can mitigate our risks.”
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