As JN.1 COVID variant rises, 3 in 4 Indians surveyed say mask is history; 29% plan to socialize or party over New Year

December 28, 2023, New Delhi: India has been witnessing a rise in COVID-19 with the active case tally crossing 6,500 in the last few days and six deaths being reported, according to Union health ministry data. The positive cases include many cases of JN.1, a new sub-variant of COVID-19. The central government last week issued an advisory to the states to be more alert and prepared as new virus and COVID sub-variants have been reported to be impacting hundreds in the country besides in other countries including the US and China. The scientific community, led by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is meanwhile working on genome sequencing of the new variant. Many among the medical fraternity have urged people to exercise caution by wearing masks, particularly in crowded areas, including indoors if there is poor ventilation.

However, what appears different this time is the level of seriousness with which people follow COVID appropriate behaviour and norms. Despite very limited testing and cases still doubling every week, it is rare to find individuals wearing masks in public places, indoor or outdoors. To understand what is going on in the public mind, LocalCircles conducted a national survey to understand mask compliance. Also, with the new year coming up, the survey attempted to understand what percent of citizens plan to socialize. The survey received over 22,000 responses from citizens located in 317 districts of India. 67% respondents were men while 33% respondents were women. 47% respondents were from tier 1, 31% from tier 2 and 22% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.

Nearly 3 in 4 Indians surveyed say mask is history and rarely anyone wears; only 3% of those surveyed indicated that 1 in 5 are complying with masking norms in their area

During the COVID pandemic starting March 2020, masking was advised as a precaution against the spread of the virus, but since early part of this year rarely are people seen wearing one, even in crowded places. The survey asked respondents, “With another COVID surge likely in the coming weeks, how are people in your area/ district/ city complying with masking norms?” The query received 11,460 responses with 72% indicating that “mask is history, rarely anyone wears”. However, 15% of respondents stated “2-5% people wear a mask”; 4% of respondents indicated “5-10% wear a mask” and 3% indicated that “over 20% people wear a mask”. In addition, 6% of respondents gave no clear response opting for “can’t say”. To sum up, 72% or nearly 3 in 4 Indians surveyed say mask is history and rarely anyone wears; only 3% of those surveyed indicated that 1 in 5 are complying to masking norms in their area.

29% of Indians surveyed plan to socialize over New Year; 58% plan to stay with immediate family at home

As the new health scare has come towards the end of the year, a time when people plan parties, family gatherings and even travel to celebrate the New Year, the survey asked, “How do you plan to celebrate/socialize over New Year 2024?” Out of 11,335 who responded to the query, 58% indicated that they plan to “stay with immediate family at home”; 5% of respondents stated they plan to “go out for a community gathering with immediate family”; 6% indicated that they have plans to “go out to a restaurant with immediate family or friends”; 9% of respondents indicated that they plan to “go out to a New Year party either myself, with immediate family or friends”; 9% of respondents stated that they “celebrate at our or one of our family/ friend’s home”; 7% stated that they “don’t plan to socialize over New Year this year because of COVID risk/ other reasons and 6% of respondents shared that they will be “travelling over New Year”. To sum up, 29% of Indians surveyed plan to socialize over New Year; 58% plan to stay with immediate family at home.

In summary, the survey shows that risk perception about COVID and its variants is not being taken seriously as just 3% citizens reported that 1 in 5 are complying with masking norms in their area, while 72% of respondents indicated that wearing a mask is history. This indicates that majority find the effort of wearing a mask not worth it, given the COVID risk at this time. While some experts argue that every COVID infection causes accumulative damage to the immune system and increases risk of long COVID, majority Indians aren’t buying this at the current time. Not only are people not wearing masks, 29% are also planning to socialize over New Year, which is a sizable number. The current situation looks very similar to December 2021 when the Omicron variant first started spreading in the last two weeks of December and surged in the first two weeks of January with many falling sick with mild symptoms. The one unknown here is if JN.1 subvariant of Omicron causes severe disease in people with co-morbidities, senior citizens, or children in India, and in that scenario, should more caution be exercised by all.