Coronaphobia: Survey suggests 16 percent of Americans are not sure they will EVER comfortable going out in public again even after COVID-19 panic subsides

Some states might be in the process of relaxing their coronavirus lockdown restrictions but it could be some time before the public feel comfortable with life going back to the way things were. 

A survey has suggested that 40 percent of Americans will actively avoid going to public spaces unless 'absolutely necessary' for some time after the pandemic is over.

The research was commissioned by Vital Vio, a healthcare technology company that has uses antimicrobial LED light to disinfect and kill germs.  

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The survey found that more than a third of Americans are worried about visiting restaurants with 27 percent having concerns about traveling on public transit once again

From a survey of 1,000 adults, it found 82 percent of U.S. consumers now are more aware of or concerned about the cleaning tools and protocols used on surfaces in public spaces. 

58 percent of Americans now admit they have less confidence in the cleaning and hygienic practices of their peers including those they know both those they know socially and professionally. 

34 percent say they will wait at least a few weeks after the government deems particular public spaces safe to use before venturing into such spaces, while 26 percent said they'll wait even longer – one to two months – while 16 percent said they're unsure they'll ever feel comfortable going into such public spaces again.   

'While COVID-19 conversations have started shifting from shutting down to reopening the country, the truth is that we're far from normal life,' Colleen Costello, CEO and co-founder of Vital Vio, tells StudyFinds. 

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16 percent of Americans says they are not sure if they will ever feel comfortable going out in public

'In fact, our report spotlights how Americans' heightened germ concerns could push them to avoid social interactions and public spaces unless absolutely necessary, even after it's deemed safe by the government.'

The coronavirus has led to people becoming more concerned about germs perhaps more than ever before. The findings from the survey suggest that even if people are not leaving their homes, they still worry about taking in package and mail with 57% of people cleaning them before bringing them inside.    

The increased concern over germs, according to the research now sees 83% of Americans buying more chemical cleaners and disinfectants than previously.  

Outside of the home, most of those 1,000 people who took part in the survey 76 percent say will pay closer attention to how businesses clean their spaces with just over half threatening to withhold their business altogether if they are not upfront about their cleaning practices.

Health being a prime factor, many are now willing to pay a premium in industries such as travel, dining and retail to ensure that enhanced cleaning protocols are carried out.

The survey found that more than a third of Americans are worried about visiting restaurants with 27 percent having concerns about traveling on public transit once again.

Almost all those who took part in the survey believe businesses should make hand sanitizer available for customers with 92 percent encouraging such action to be taken with 78 percent hoping businesses hire more cleaning staff.

When it comes to offices many were unsure if offices might ever be the same.

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For now, sporting events are on hold but it is not clear if people would return in the same numbers should spectators feel uncomfortable about being together in large crowds

At least 17 percent of respondents are planning on waiting several more weeks before returning to their offices with 11 percent saying they will wait a couple of months while a further 11 percent are unsure if they'll ever return.

That being said, those replying say they expect employers to take their health of their workers seriously with 25 percent threatening to quit their jobs if their employer are not found to have invested in cleanliness . 

28 percent who responded saying they were already concerned that their office wasn't cleaned often enough, 23 percent concerned about their co-workers' hygiene and 22 percent frustrated that their co-workers refused to stay home when sick. 

For those with children, more than a quarter plan to wait several more weeks before sending their kids back to school (should that even be an option in their respective states).

81 percent are also expecting their local school district to spend more money on cleaning measures. 

'For the foreseeable future, our 'new normal' will likely mean more aware and cautious citizens – and this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It'll push businesses and public environments to become cleaner and individuals to be better about personal hygiene,' says Costello. '

However, it's important that Americans stay informed about the facts – understanding, at a high level, the science behind disease spread, and the simple steps they can take every day as well as technologies available to protect themselves and their families.'