1 year after Covid began, poll reveals what Thais have learned

A slight majority of people hold out moderate hope that vaccines will help end the Covid-19 pandemic, but worry about side effects, according to a wide-ranging opinion survey by Bangkok University (Bangkok Poll).

The poll was conducted via telephone interviews on Jan 18-20 on 1,186 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country.

Asked what they thought would be most affected if the Covid-19 outbreak continued unabated, a bare majority — 50.1% — cited their jobs and incomes; 27.4% the possibility of being infected by the virus; 15.0% travel; 4.0% availability of necessities and food; 3.2% expenses for protective gear; and 0.3% children’s education.

Asked if vaccines would help contain or end the pandemic in the country,…