a strong relationship between changes in COVID infection rates and Americans' assessment of the situation. When the percentage of new COVID-19 cases spiked in the summer and fall, majorities of Americans said the situation was getting worse.Last April, when Gallup first asked Americans for their views on the COVID-19 situation in the U.S., 56% said it was getting worse, while 29% said it was getting better and 15% said it was staying the same.
Through mid-June, roughly four in 10 Americans said the situation was improving, including a then-record high of 47% during the first week of June.Line graph.