The new coronavirus infection was rampant in 2020. From around November 2020, the spread of infection became serious again, mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and on January 7, 2021, a state of emergency was declared for Tokyo and three prefectures (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba). What kind of changes have occurred in people’s feelings and lives due to the state of emergency declaration, which was issued for the second time since April 2020?
In this article, we will explain the changes in people’s lifestyles due to the second state of emergency declaration, using Google’s survey results and comparing them with the previous declaration.
[Survey target period]
First state of emergency declaration (previous): April 11-17, 2020
Second state of emergency declaration (this time): January 9th to 15th, 2021
In 2021, “positive feelings” and “anxious feelings” coexist
Looking at the trends in “positive feelings” and “anxious feelings” from April 2020 to January 2021, we can see that “positive feelings” have increased significantly as the new year approaches. However, the level of “feelings of anxiety” remains high, almost unchanged from the previous week, and it can be said that people are in a state where positive and anxious feelings coexist.
Looking back at the past, “feelings of anxiety” have been on the decline since August. However, it began to trend upward from October 24th to 30th. Around this time, it was reported that the infection was spreading again in Europe, and people in Japan seemed to be becoming increasingly anxious about their daily lives and livelihoods. Since November, the spread of infections has once again become more serious in Japan, and “feelings of anxiety” have remained at a high level, competing with “positive feelings.”
Also, just like last time, the level of “positive feelings” remains high even under the second declaration. Even though Tokyo and three prefectures are under a second state of emergency, the number of positive feelings has increased significantly, symbolizing people’s desire to live better lives even in a restricted environment. It is thought that.
Increased use of digital platforms and higher levels of leisure satisfaction
Looking at the level of satisfaction with “leisure” and “shopping,” there has been no major change and it has remained almost flat even under the second state of emergency. Furthermore, the reason why people were more satisfied with “leisure” and “shopping” the second time than after the previous declaration is thought to be because they were able to find their own enjoyment despite having many restrictions. Masu.
In Tokyo and the three prefectures where the second state of emergency was declared, the use of digital platforms such as paid video distribution services, SNS, and smartphone games is more advanced than under the first declaration. Nationwide, viewing of free video streaming services has only slightly increased, so it can be seen that the usage rate has increased significantly in Tokyo and three prefectures.
Compared to last time, when the future was uncertain, we now have a certain degree of understanding of how to deal with the new coronavirus, and under the state of emergency declaration, we now have the leeway to enjoy and enrich our leisure time in our own way. Sho.
What are the factors that make people feel “anxious” under the second state of emergency?
Under the state of emergency declaration, people in Tokyo and the three prefectures are most worried about “having their family infected” and “being infected themselves” for both the first and second times. . However, despite the rapid increase in the number of infected people compared to around April, there was not much difference between the first and second rounds.
Comparing the first and second states of emergency, what was distinctive was that there was a significant increase in the number of people who felt anxious about not being able to meet the people they wanted to meet and about the weakening of connections with others. That’s what I’m doing. Since the number of people using tools such as telephone, email, and video calls has decreased since the last declaration, it is assumed that many people are feeling lonely because it is difficult to communicate face-to-face with others. can. Even if we are able to obtain information on our own and take thorough measures against infection, we have not yet found a solution to the lack of ability to meet people and the weakening of our connections, which is probably a cause for anxiety.
Additionally, under the first state of emergency, “online drinking parties” and “online tea parties” became widespread, but this time the number of people using them was about half of the previous time. Google believes this may indicate that widespread adoption of tools alone will not completely eliminate loneliness.
summary
◆As we enter the new year amid the coronavirus pandemic, it can be said that people are in a state of both positive and anxious feelings.
◆The reason people were more satisfied with “leisure” and “shopping” after the second state of emergency was declared than after the first state of emergency was because they were able to find their own way of enjoying themselves despite the many restrictions. Possible.
◆In Tokyo and the three prefectures where the second state of emergency was declared, the use of paid video distribution services, SNS, and smartphone games has progressed significantly compared to under the previous state of emergency.
◆Under the second state of emergency, the number of people who feel anxious about not being able to meet the people they want to meet and the weakening of connections with others has increased significantly, and people are feeling lonely due to not being able to communicate directly. More and more people are feeling this way.