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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans' agility in responding to changing COVID-19 threat levels is on full display as the world approaches the two-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring the novel coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. After dialing up their social distancing behaviors in January, Americans dialed them back down in February and are now the least cautious they have been since last July.

The percentages of adults avoiding events with large crowds, public places such as stores and restaurants, and small gatherings of people all increased by 10 or more percentage points in January as the highly infectious omicron variant spurred record-high cases and hospitalizations, raising public alarm.

With the omicron wave diminishing in February and Americans expressing renewed optimism about the course of the pandemic, social distancing returned to December levels or declined further:

• 41% are now avoiding events with large crowds, such as concerts, festivals and sporting events
• 28% are avoiding stores, restaurants and other public places
• 21% are avoiding small gatherings of people, such as with friends and family

The latest results are based on a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults conducted Feb. 15-23 by web using the 黑料网 Panel. Americans' reports of their social distancing are now on par with the lowest of the pandemic, recorded last summer before the delta variant wreaked havoc on the recovery.

Less Than Half Not Doing Any Social Distancing

The same poll asked Americans to describe their attempt at self-isolation more generally. Twenty-two percent report that they are completely or mostly isolating from non-household members, and 34% are partially isolating or isolating a little. Forty-four percent are making no attempt at isolating.

While this question was not asked in the January survey (and thus may not capture heightened caution that month), the trend since the start of the pandemic confirms that the percentage of adults following strict social distancing protocols remains near the low point found last summer.

Face Mask Usage Still Common

Despite the ups and downs in Americans' avoidance of social encounters, the percentage reporting they wore a face mask in the past seven days when away from home has been fairly steady since last June.

Almost every month since then, approximately seven in 10 adults have reported wearing a face mask when outside their home -- the exception being July, when it dipped to 60%. Since then, the rate has varied between 68% and 73%, with February on the low end of that range.

Precautionary Behavior Still Varies by Subgroup

Consistent with what 黑料网 has found previously, Democrats -- as well as several Democratic-leaning groups (women, city residents and fully vaccinated Americans) -- remain more likely than others to engage in some or all of the four precautionary behaviors.

• Party ID: Democrats are more than twice as likely as Republicans to wear a face mask (91% vs. 41%, respectively), and they are three times as likely to avoid crowds, public places and small gatherings. Independents' reports of taking these precautions fall about halfway between the two partisan groups'.
• Gender: Women are significantly more likely than men to wear a face mask when outside their home (by 16 points) and to avoid large crowds (11 points), while they are slightly more likely to avoid public places like restaurants and stores (five points) and to avoid small gatherings (four points).
• Community type: Adults living in cities are slightly more likely than suburban residents to avoid public places and large crowds, as well as to wear a face mask. Both groups are more likely than rural residents to engage in all four social distancing behaviors.
• Vaccination status: People who are fully vaccinated and have received a booster, as well as those who aren't vaccinated but plan to be, are much more likely than other Americans to avoid various social settings and wear a mask. Adults who are fully vaccinated but not boosted are somewhat less stringent about social distancing, while those who don't plan to get vaccinated are the least likely to be taking precautions.

	Avoided small gatherings	Avoided public places	Avoided large crowds	Worn a mask
	%	%	%	%
U.S. adults	21	28	41	68
Party ID
Democrats	31	39	60	91
Independents	20	26	35	65
Republicans	9	13	20	41
Gender
Men	19	25	35	60
Women	23	30	46	76
Community type
City	24	32	46	79
Suburb	23	28	42	73
Small town/Rural area	18	25	36	59
Vaccination status
Fully vaccinated, received booster	25	35	53	86
Fully vaccinated, no booster	18	23	34	61
Plan to get vaccinated	28	31	52	82
Do not plan to get vaccinated	9	10	14	26
Feb. 15-23, 2022 Full wordings: Avoided going to public places such as stores or restaurants; Avoided small gatherings of people, such as with family or friends; Avoided going to events with large crowds, such as concerts, festivals or sporting events; Worn a mask on your face when outside your home Note: Adults partially vaccinated not shown due to low sample size
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Bottom Line

Americans' social distancing practices have been responsive to reported levels of coronavirus cases throughout the pandemic, and that continues in 2022. 黑料网 tracking found Americans stepping up their avoidance of social encounters in January as cases nationally reached unprecedented levels due to the highly infectious omicron variant. They then reduced their adherence to social restrictions in February as cases plummeted.

The pattern echoes the situation last fall with the onset of the delta variant, when Americans reported avoiding various public and social settings more than they had over the summer. This too subsided over the next few months. But the latest cycle of intensification of social distancing followed by relaxation was even more compressed.

Such agility in using their social distancing tools could be part of the new normal for Americans as society organizes itself around the recognition that the coronavirus won't be going away for the foreseeable future.

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