Staying home due to covid-19 is affecting Easter plans and spending, survey shows

About 68 percent of Americans who observe Easter say their Easter spending will be affected by the coronavirus this year, according to WalletHub’s “Coronavirus Easter Survey” released Monday.

Highlights of the report include:  

• Worshippers don’t want to stay home: 56 percent of Americans who went to church on Easter Sunday last year say they’ll go to church for Easter this year, if it’s open.
   
• Republicans are more likely to attend services: Republicans are almost three times more likely than Democrats to attend church on Easter this year, if it’s open.
   
• Pandemics make people appreciate family and health more: The coronavirus has made Americans most grateful for their family, 40 percent, followed by health, 29 percent, and freedom, 13 percent.
   
• Traditional Easter spending is down: Almost half of Easter-celebrating Americans are skipping candy, new outfits, and Easter foods this year, in contrast with prior years.
   
• Covid-19 itself is scarier than financial troubles: 68 percent of Americans are more worried about the coronavirus than the U.S. economy.
   
• Many Americans think lockdowns should last: About half of Americans believe that non-essential business, restaurants, and travel shouldn’t restart for at least three months.

More survey details from Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst:

Easter celebrations

Americans that celebrate Easter this year plan to take part in at least some of their regular Easter traditions in a way that fits with social distancing guidelines. For example, about 66 percent of people plan to have phone calls or video conferencing, 24 percent will watch church on television, and 19.5 percent will have indoor Easter egg hunts. Some people may do all of these.

Non-essential businesses reopening by Easter

Only about 14 percent of Americans want non-essential businesses to reopen by April 12. The largest percentage of people, about 50 percent, think non-essential merchants should stay closed for three months. Very few people think an immediate reopening is a good idea, just 5 percent of the population.

Financial hardship on churches and other places of worship, especially around Easter

Churches may suffer from fewer donations, as about 27 percent of Easter-celebrating Americans plan to donate less on Easter this year than they did last year. Most people, nearly 66 percent, will donate the same amount. Over a quarter of Americans will also donate part of their coronavirus stimulus check to a religious organization.

Easter purchases to suffer due to the pandemic

The Easter candy industry will take a big hit, as more than 42 percent of Easter celebrants who normally purchase candy say they won’t do so this year. Americans will also forego buying new outfits and Easter food at nearly the same percentages.

Social distancing guidelines this Easter

What’s most concerning is that 56 percent of people who went to church on Easter last year say they want to go again this year, if services are held. However, most people who celebrate Easter will end up staying at home, recognizing that limiting close contact will help flatten the curve and minimize the spread of covid-19.

The survey on Easter follows WalletHub’s report on the “State Economies Most Exposed to Coronavirus.”

Comments

[Baby_boomster]

I don't understand why people think going to church during the pandemic will protect them from getting the virus which could potentially kill their family members. Although I'm glad most of the people in my area are complying with the stay at home order.

[Rita]

Hi Rebecca,

I don't understand it either. The science is so clear. Stay away from people, whether they're sick or not. People are walking around with the coronavirus and giving it to others.

Rita