CapRadio and Valley Vision Partner to Launch COVID-19 Resilience Poll

Sacramento, CA - July 15, 2020: Capital Public Radio (CapRadio) and Valley Vision today announced the launch of the COVID-19 Resilience Poll — a multipart polling and reporting initiative designed to explore the experiences and attitudes of people in the Sacramento region during the pandemic — and the release of the July 2020 report. This partnership illustrates CapRadio and Valley Vision’s enduring commitment to strengthening communities by engaging the public, identifying actionable insights and disseminating those findings to inform the region’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 situation.

“Having an in-depth understanding of how the coronavirus impacts the people and communities we serve is vitally important to our public service mission of providing a trusted and indispensable source of local news and community-engaged journalism,” said Jun Reina, newly appointed executive vice president and general manager of CapRadio. “By partnering with Valley Vision, a leader in the research and analysis of complex, systemic issues in the region, we can gain valuable insights that will bolster our ability to provide essential information and resources to our communities during this pandemic.”

“We are in the midst of a rapidly changing environment and it is critically important that planning, investments and decisions about our communities reflect the needs of people in our communities,” said Evan Schmidt, CEO of Valley Vision. “Our public opinion poll gives us a vital tool to better understand experiences, perspectives and priorities of people in the region as we work towards adapting to and recovering from coronavirus.”

The July 2020 report released today focuses on the early stages of the pandemic, including health impacts and fears, experiences through the shelter-in-place order and economic fallout from COVID-19. The public opinion poll, administered by Sacramento State’s Institute for Social Research, occurred from May 12-27, 2020, and is demographically representative of the Capital region, encompassing eight counties, including Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, Placer, Yuba, Sutter, Solano and San Joaquin counties. 

Some key takeaways from the July 2020 report include:

There are major concerns and difficulties due to coronavirus across populations

• Anxiety, stress, depression, feelings of hopelessness and substance use are all concerns for many respondents.
  
• Black and Hispanic respondents, as well as younger respondents, are more likely to report depression and concerns about alcohol and substance abuse.
  
• Black respondents have had a more difficult time than respondents of other races getting medical services and supplies.
  
• Parents of all races and ethnicities are significantly challenged in balancing work plus educating their children at home.

Many respondents are experiencing income loss

• Nearly half of Sacramento-area residents said they have experienced loss of income during the pandemic.
• About a third are struggling to afford basic needs, including rent or mortgage and bills.
  
• For those who have experienced income loss, the ability to afford these necessities is much worse, with over two-thirds struggling.

A majority of workers are concerned about getting coronavirus on the job

• More than two-thirds of Sacramento area residents who are still working expressed some level of concern about getting the novel coronavirus on the job.
• Half of very low income-earners — people in households bringing in $30,000 or less — are very concerned about getting COVID-19 at work.
  
• Half of high income-earners — in households making $150,000 or more — said they were not at all concerned about getting infected while working. 

Many people also shared hopes for change

• Residents expressed desire for the pandemic to produce more social cohesion, stronger family ties, better governmental preparedness and improved public health.

The July 2020 report, a special data visualization project and additional CapRadio reporting on the findings are available at capradio.org/poll. 

About Valley Vision

For 25 years Valley Vision has helped governments, businesses, foundations and community groups better understand our region and its people through high quality research. By uncovering common ground facts using scientific opinion polls, focus groups, community needs assessments, best practice reports and other research tools, Valley Vision is a trusted interpreter, commentator, forecaster and work partner for community inspired solutions.

About CapRadio

CapRadio serves California’s Capital region, Central Valley and Sierra Nevada as the public-supported alternative to for-profit media. As the NPR-member station based in Sacramento, CapRadio connects with communities through seven broadcast stations, live streaming, podcasts, digital communities, live experiences and more. Known for its award-winning newsroom, CapRadio is recognized as a leader in community-engaged journalism and state government reporting, and CapRadio Music is the exclusive broadcast source of classical and jazz in the region. With more than 500,000 weekly listeners on-air and online, CapRadio provides a trusted and indispensable source of information, music and events.

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CONTACT:
Chris Bruno
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