(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Canadians and Americans believe their respective federal administrations have done a good job in dealing with the swine flu pandemic, according to a three-country poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 71 per cent of respondents in Canada—and 68 per cent of respondents in the United States—are satisfied with their government’s response to the outbreak.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Canadians and Americans believe their respective federal administrations have done a good job in dealing with the swine flu pandemic, according to a three-country poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 71 per cent of respondents in Canada—and 68 per cent of respondents in the United States—are satisfied with their government’s response to the outbreak.
In Britain, 52 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the reaction from the national government, while 40 per cent are dissatisfied.
In April, Mexico was greatly affected by an outbreak of H1N1 influenza, also referred to as swine flu. In early June, as the virus spread throughout the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the outbreak as a pandemic, while also noting that most illnesses reported were of "moderate severity."
Last month, Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) established a swine flu hotline which expedites the process to provide patients with antiviral drugs. British prime minister Gordon Brown justified the decision, saying, "It means that the load on [family doctors] will be lessened."
On Aug. 6, U.S. deputy national security adviser John Brennan discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "I think everybody recognizes that H1N1 is going to be a challenge for all of us and there are people who are going to get sick in the fall and die. People have been dying over the past number of months from H1N1."
Earlier this month, Canadian health minister Leona Aglukkaq announced that the Canadian government will order 50.4 million doses of swine flu vaccine at a cost of about $245 million U.S., adding, "This investment reflects the unique circumstances of the situation as well as the gravity."
Polling Data
Canadian and American respondents – How satisfied are you with the federal government’s response to swine flu?
British respondents – How satisfied are you with the Government’s response to swine flu?
|
CAN |
USA |
BRI |
|
|
Very / Moderately satisfied |
71% |
68% |
52% |
|
Very / Moderately dissatisfied |
18% |
20% |
40% |
|
Not sure |
11% |
12% |
8% |
Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,005 Canadian adults, 1,005 American adults, and 791 British adults, conducted from Jul. 28 to Jul. 31, 2009. Margins of error range from 3.1 per cent to 3.5 per cent.
