Last week, we asked you how soon you’d feel safe getting back to life as restrictions lift, and over 900 of you responded to give us your feelings on returning to the office, restaurants, indoor + outdoor events, vacation planning, and more.
Today, as public attractions begin reopening across the state, we’re breaking down the data – and including some of your feedback on how we can continue to reopen safely + where you’ll be heading first. Thanks again to The Hustle for providing the original inspo for our poll.
Here’s what you shared.
- Masks might make all the difference. The number one response to how businesses could make customers feel safe – mentioned over 450 times – was to require people to wear one.
- You’re missing local businesses the most. Some of the most common responses were local restaurants, breweries, gyms, hair and nail salons, Riverbanks Zoo and movie theaters.
- You’re ready for a road trip. 43% of you feel like you could take a local or regional vacay right now. But 67% of you are planning to wait at least a year to travel internationally.
- 35% of you could go back to work in an office now. Another 44% could be ok with it in one to six months.
- You’re on the fence about eating in restaurants or catching a flick on the big screen. Only 23% of you would go out to eat or see a movie right now, with another 43% in the next six months.
- You’re waiting a while longer on large events. 25% want to wait until next year for an outdoor show, and 48% of you want to wait at least a year before an indoor event.
Check out the full results breakdown here. ⬇️
Here’s what else we learned.
Over 100 of you mentioned getting a vaccine + doing more testing as factors that will make you feel safe – and some of you said that you don’t plan to do much until those are in place.
And y’all miss plenty of other things too – including hair salons, Soda City Market, and “movies, music in the park, festivals” (Wendy A.). We’re on the same page, guys.
While some of you are ready to get out and about now, others are opting to wait – and most want to strike a balance between the two. Lisa M. wants the reopening to be “gradual and planned. We don’t need to slide backwards and warrant the need for closures again.” And Randa D. says, “Everyone is dealing with different circumstances; be kind and considerate.”
Want to know how other cities around the Southeast answered our poll? Click the button below to see responses from our sister markets in Asheville, Charleston, Greenville, Chattanooga, Lakeland and Raleigh – 7,673 in total. ⬇️
