OAKLAND – (INT) - More than 80 percent of California youth say they are strictly adhering to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

Two out of three are concerned about lifting public health restrictions too quickly, according to a new poll the University of California released Monday. The survey of Californians ages 18 to 24 highlights a sharp contrast to the popular image of indifferent young people flouting public health guidelines.

The results reveal that more than two-thirds of those surveyed expressed concern about contracting COVID-19, and nearly as many reported “always” wearing a mask.

The survey also found that California youth are more motivated to vote this year due to the pandemic (42 percent) and protests against racial injustice (45 percent).

The YouGov poll shows California youth are split over the best approach to campus reopening. More than 60 percent of them support schools opening exclusively online or mostly online this fall, and only 12 percent saying they should exclusively operate in person.

Story Date: September 30, 2020