Most Australians are directly experiencing the pandemic only through the aisles of the local supermarket and via the challenges of working from home.
But news of the crisis is making them anxious (45%), according to an online survey March 19-23 by demographers McCrindle.
Many also feel frustrated (37%) and vulnerable (29%).
In the survey of 1,015 people, McCrindle found two in five (39%) Australians feel extremely or very uncertain about the future since the recent outbreak of the virus, while another 52% are somewhat or slightly uncertain.
Younger generations are more likely than older to feel extremely/very uncertain about the future -- 51% Gen Z, 46% Gen Y, 38% Gen X, compared to 27% Baby Boomers.
Over the last few weeks, there has been widespread coverage about Australians bulk buying goods or panic buying to hoard essential food.
However, McCrindle says the proportion actually buying much more than they need is relatively small at 6%.
Most Australians have bought the same groceries as they always do (42%) or have bought a bit more than they needed (30%), while 23% have been unable to buy as much as usual in the last few weeks.
Unsurprisingly, given the challenges which have resulted from panic buying, most Australians (94%) do not think people should be able to buy as much as they want.
Instead, Australians support shops in placing limits on purchases (38%) and believe people should show self-restraint when it comes to bulk buying (32%).
Three in four Australians (75%) are willing to refrain from panic buying to ensure everyone has access to necessities, including the vulnerable in their community.
Will working from home be the new normal?
Australians are positive about a shift to online learning in the education sector and the workplace.
More than half are extremely/very positive about an increased use of online learning in vocational training (57%), university (57%), workplaces (54%) and in schools (52%).
More than two in five strongly/somewhat agree that working from home will become the new normal (45%) and would stay longer with their employer if they were offered more remote working or flexible working options (46%).
Humour
"Australians believe they are a resilient bunch with the Aussie spirit and sense of humour still going strong," says McCrindle.
Almost half of Australians (48%) believe they are extremely/very emotionally resilient, while two in five (40%) believe they are physically resilient. Just under one in three (31%) believe they are extremely/very financially resilient.
"In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australians have seen their neighbours, communities and the nation as a whole displaying the Aussie spirit, with our sense of humour still going strong (41%)," says McCrindle.
Australians also see people coming together in times of need (31%) and keeping things in perspective (29%).
Change
Australians are taking government advice to help stop the spread of COVID-19:
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.