Overall, the vast majority of Qatari nationals, white-collar and blue-collar expatriates are well aware of COVID-19, suggested a survey conducted by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI), a social scientific survey research initiative of Qatar University.
Moreover, 97 percent of Qatari nationals, 94 percent of white-collar and 87 percent of blue-collar workers said they have heard or read some or a lot about the coronavirus outbreak, said Qatar University in a release.
Qatari nationals (84 percent) and white-collar expatriate workers (79 percent) were more likely to say that they have heard or read a lot about the coronavirus as compared to blue-collar expatriate workers (56 percent).
The survey was responded by 2,131 individuals, including Qatari nationals, white-collar and blue-collar expatriates about the COVID-19 outbreak. It was conducted between March 12 and 14. The survey is based on a nationally representative sample interviewed by telephone in ten different languages.
Prof. Hassan Al Sayed, Director of the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) highlighted the importance of this survey at this particular point in time. He said that the survey identifies the extent of awareness about the COVID-19 and precautionary measures taken by Qatar’s citizens and residents.
According to the survey, Television, Twitter, Facebook, and word of mouth are the most frequently mentioned main sources of information about the Coronavirus pandemic. For Qataris, television (31 percent) and Twitter (18 percent) are the most mentioned main sources of information, while for white-collar expatriates, television (23 percent) and Facebook (20 percent) are the main sources of information.
Facebook (31 percent) and word of mouth (23 percent) are mentioned the main sources of information about the Coronavirus outbreak for blue-collar expatriates. Other sources of information for respondents include other social media platforms, newspapers, and the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).
All respondents were also asked about their level of concern about a possible widespread outbreak of the coronavirus in Qatar. Nearly two-thirds of all respondents reported being somewhat or very concerned (62 percent for Qataris; 65 percent for white-collar expatriates; and 68 percent for blue-collar expatriates). Once again, blue-collar expatriates (40 percent) were more likely to be very concerned as compared to Qataris (31 percent) and white-collar workers (33 percent).
With regard to the respondents’ level of concern about themselves or someone in their family falling sick due the coronavirus, all groups expressed concerns (67 percent of Qataris, 73 percent of white-collar expatriates, and 67 percent of blue-collar expatriates). Overall, Qatari nationals (76 percent) were more likely to be somewhat or very concerned in comparison to blue-collar expatriates (67 percent).
All groups of respondents mentioned washing hands regularly and using hand sanitizers, blue-collar workers were more likely to mention washing hands regularly as a precautionary measure (84 percent), as compared to white-collar workers (76 percent) and Qataris (67 percent).
However, blue-collar workers (46 percent) were least likely to report using hand sanitizers as a precautionary measure (vs 68 percent for Qataris and 62 percent for white-collar expatriates). This is, presumably, because they have less access to hand sanitizers.
About half of Qataris (49 percent) and white-collar expatriates (54 percent) and slightly less than half blue-collar expatriates (42 percent) also mentioned avoiding public places such as malls, mosques, and shopping centers.
Similarly, 50 percent of Qataris, 40 percent of white-collar and 39 percent of blue-collar expatriates said they avoid public gatherings including majlis, weddings, funerals, and Friday prayers.
Interestingly, nearly two-thirds of blue-collar expatriates (66 percent) said they use protective masks as compared 29 percent of white-collar expatriates and 13 percent of Qataris.
SOURCE: THEPENINSULAQATAR