Are Americans Ready To Change Habits Over Omicron? New Poll Suggests 'No'

Last month's discovery of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has created a slew of concerns worldwide.

However, despite all the apprehension about the new strain, most Americans say they are not likely to change their behavior.

In a poll by Axios and research firm Ipsos released Tuesday, Americans were questioned on what they were willing to do in response to Omicron. Most responded that they would not be likely to make any major change to their habits or behaviors to minimize the risk of becoming infected with the new variant.

The poll shows "how much the behavior is already baked in" at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Americans mainly interested in ways to adapt so they can keep living their lives, Ipsos senior vice president Chris Jackson said, according to Axios.

"New facts don't seem to be changing people," he said. "They've already decided what they're going to do, and they're doing it."

Among all the measures Americans said they were most willing to do, 62% of respondents said that they would be willing to wear masks indoors at all times in public. This finding may be particularly important as local governments and other institutions have issued mask advisories ahead of the holiday season.

Beyond this measure, most Americans polled were not ready to adopt other public health precautions. Only 33% said that they would stop dining indoors while 28% said that they would stop gathering with people outside of their home or self-quarantine for two weeks. Only 13% reported that they would stop going to the office or their job in person.

What this poll did not ask is whether or not the discovery of the Omicron variant would encourage more Americans to get vaccinated or receive a booster shot. Vaccine manufacturers seem optimistic that their doses are effective at fighting off Omicron and President Joe Biden has pleaded with more Americans to receive a dose after the strain was reported.