A growing share of Americans would feel safe resuming activities like dining out or flying within a few weeks of their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, but 25% to 30% would wait until the nation reaches herd immunity, according to a Harris Poll survey for USA TODAY.
Their attitudes bode well for what’s expected to be a historically robust recovery from the coronavirus recession. But the sizeable share of people who prefer to wait until at least 70% of the population is immune could mean a less roaring launch to the rebound as some activity shifts to late summer and fall from midyear.
There’s no doubt that Americans who have largely been confined to their homes the past year can hardly wait to bust loose.
Thirty-three percent of those surveyed say they would feel safe eating indoors at a restaurant a few weeks after their second vaccine dose or earlier, according to the Harris Poll survey Friday through Sunday. By comparison, 29% of those polled in January said they would be comfortable dining out no later than a few weeks after the second dose.
In the latest survey, 7% said they would feel comfortable eating indoors at restaurants after the first dose; 7% immediately after the second dose; and 19% a few weeks after their second dose. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said a person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second shot.
Meanwhile, 28% would feel medically safe traveling by air a few weeks after their second dose or…
