Dr. Anthony Fauci and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are the biggest sources of coronavirus information for Michigan residents and also among the most trusted sources, according to a new survey released today by University of Michigan.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also ranked high in both trust and overall sources of COVID-19 information, the survey found.
The survey was sponsored by the Center for Health and Research Transformation and Department of Learning Health Sciences at the University of Michigan. About 1,000 Michigan residents were surveyed in late May.
About 72% of respondents said they got information about coronavirus from Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. and 68% listed Whitmer.
More than 70% said they trusted Fauci at least a “moderate” amount, compared to 60% for Whitmer.
About 46% of respondents said they were getting “most” coronavirus information from President Donald Trump, and 40% said they trusted the president at least a “moderate” amount.”
One big takeaway from the survey is that more than 80% of respondents put a great deal of trust in their own health-care providers, making that group the most trusted source of information. But only 38% have received coronavirus information from their doctors, the survey found.
“I think this is an incredibly important finding,” said Marianne Udow-Phillips, head of the Center for Health and Research Transformation. “Eighty percent say they trust their health-care providers information, but they are not hearing from them.”
She said that indicates “an opportunity” for health-care providers to reach out to patients to underscore the important of wearing masks, following social distancing guidelines and other strategies to mitigate the virus.
“I think if, as a state, we could mobilize our health-care providers to to be out the message about how to protect yourself and others from COVID, that could help,” Udow-Phillips said.
Among other key findings listed in the report:
- 74% of respondents said they worry misinformation about COVID-19 makes Michiganders less safe.
- The federal Centers for Disease Control and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are the most-used and most-trusted agencies in terms of COVID information.
- Michigan residents are more skeptical of information coming from the federal government than the state government, with 61% believing the federal government has an agenda that is causing it to not give the whole story to the public compared 46% who believe that of state government.
- The media and Michigan Legislature are the least-trusted sources of information about coronavirus.
- Social media is one of the biggest sources of information, but the least-trusted.
“I was actually happy to see that people are appropriately skeptical about social media, even though they are hearing a lot about it through social media,” Udow-Phillips said.
Below is a chart showing survey results on sources of information. In general, respondents most frequently got information about COVID-19 from health officials and Whitmer, the survey found. Friends and family members were also common sources of information.
Source: Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation
The news media overall were among the sources least frequently used for information about COVID-19. Among respondents, the most common news media sources of information about COVID-19 were Fox News (38%) and ABC News (37%). The least common sources of information from national news sources were MSNBC (26%), the New York Times (29%), and the Washington Post (29%).
“Clearly, people are not thinking about the source of the information,” Udow-Phillips said. “They’re thinking about who’s giving me the data and the science and who’s getting the information right. Clearly, the media is the vehicle for all that information, but they don’t see it as the source of the science, which is kind of interesting.”
Michigan respondents reported general distrust of the news media for COVID-19 information, the survey showed. The difference in trust for different types of national news outlets was marginal, ranging from 28% for ABC News to 22% for Fox News and MSNBC.
The chart below takes a closer look at survey-takers’ responses on trust in COVID information.
Source: Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation
Udow-Phillips offered her theories on why Whitmer has become a trusted source of information.
“I think there are several things at work here,” she said. “She is very visible, and also very empathetic and her message have been consistent.”
Plus, Udow-Phillips said, “she has repeatedly emphasized that she is guided by the science. And I think we’re seeing we see this in Ohio, too, with Gov. DeWine in Ohio. He also has been repeatedly giving messages that are not political and guided by the science and he makes that point and he stands there with his public health director just as Gov. Whitmer does.
“And so I think what we’re seeing are governors in our country who are aligning with public health professionals are more trusted,” she said. “People trust science. They do trust the professionals.”
COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.
Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.
Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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