Survey Results: How Has the Virus Affected Your Family?

April 24, 2020

My daughter is a medical assistant. She and her coworkers were short on PPE [personal protective equipment]. I made reusable masks for 6 of the medical assistants. Others heard about it and it exploded. At this point in time I have made 113 masks for various people and would like to do more.

This is just one of thousands of testimonies we've received from friends across the nation since the coronavirus pandemic began. Truly, one of the silver linings throughout this ordeal has been witnessing ordinary Americans finding extraordinary ways to serve and bless their neighbors.

In every crisis our country has faced, we have only emerged stronger by uniting together. And make no mistake: this is a crisis. Over the past two weeks, we asked people like you who follow and support FRC a few questions in an online survey. Over 8,000 people responded revealing that this pandemic has hit closer to home than many at first believed.

Over 20 percent of respondents reported knowing someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (the disease caused by this novel coronavirus), while 64 percent have unfortunately had their or a family member's job affected.

While facing these difficulties, the vast majority of respondents (over 96 percent) still said they support President Trump's handling of the situation. And, arguably the most important response to the survey, over 99 percent of FRC followers committed to pray for the president, Vice President Pence, and our governmental leaders as they navigate these uncharted waters (as 1 Timothy 2:1-4 instructs).

As followers of Jesus, we understand that it's in dark times like these when the light of Christ can shine the brightest. For example, 29 percent reported finding more opportunities to share the gospel with loved ones during this season. Meanwhile, as FRC has been spotlighting since this situation began, churches have found creative ways to help their communities through online Sunday services (33 percent) or Bible studies (19 percent), mobilizing prayer (14 percent), delivering food or supplies for people who are at risk (13 percent), promoting resources for parents (11 percent), or providing financial assistance (10 percent). There were even 37 respondents who stated that their churches setup mobile coronavirus testing sites.

Reflecting trends that Pew Research reported a month ago, Americans continue to wisely turn to faith as the pandemic wears on. Over 56 percent of FRC's survey respondents stated that they are spending more time in prayer, and nearly 40 percent are diving deeper into the Bible or other devotional materials. Now is the perfect time to join the FRC family in reading through the Bible with our free Stand on the Word with FRC two-year Bible reading plan. And don't forget our guide on How to Pray During the Coronavirus Crisis that we continue to update as the situation develops.

When questioned about what resource they turned to for information, 43 percent reported these Washington Update emails have been helpful. To ensure you always get the latest biblically-based insider perspective on the news, download our improved Stand Firm app where you can read the Update and listen to our daily Washington Watch radio program.

While these are difficult days for our nation and our families, these results give us renewed strength and hope for America. We are thankful for the partnership of every friend like you that enables FRC to boldly stand in faith during this crisis to encourage believers, equip the church, educate elected officials, and elevate the issues of faith, family, freedom.

Together, let's continue to find ways to be the salt and light Christ talked about in Matthew 5:13-16 that our nation so desperately needs.