Population of the Sverdlovsk region about coronavirus infection and its social consequences[Население Свердловской Области О Коронавирусной Инфекции И Её Социальных Последствиях]

The main purpose of the study is to monitor the public consciousness of residents of the Sverdlovsk region and to assess the social mood and well-being of the population during the period of restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic. To obtain data, the research group of the Department of Management Theory and Sociology of the Ural Institute of Management – Branch of the RANEPA conducted a sociological study in the form of an online survey of residents of the region. The total sample size is 1 000 people. The assessment indicators are the awareness of the population of the Sverdlovsk region about the pandemic, trust in various sources of information, attitude to the measures taken by the authorities to counter the spread of infection, and the impact of isolation on the well-being and financial situation of citizens. The study revealed the dependence of the population’s attitude to what is associated with coronavirus infection and the established regime of self-isolation on the sources of information received and trust in them. For most of the population, this is the Internet, social networks, and information received from relatives and friends. Central TV channels are trusted by less than half of the respondents. Official statements do not inspire confidence in about a third of citizens, and regional leaders have a little more confidence in information about the pandemic than Federal leaders. These and other research results are of practical significance for carrying out preventive work with the population, searching for additional information channels, and making up a dialogue between the authorities and citizens to avoid social destabilization in the region.