Poll: Social distancing at low point on pandemic's anniversary

The same poll asked Americans to describe their attempt at self-isolation more generally. Twenty-two percent report that they are completely or mostly isolating from non-household members, and 34% are partially isolating or isolating a little. Forty-four percent are making no attempt at isolating.

While this question was not asked in the January survey (and thus may not capture heightened caution that month), the trend since the start of the pandemic confirms that the percentage of adults following strict social distancing protocols remains near the low point found last summer.

Despite the ups and downs in Americans’ avoidance of social encounters, the percentage reporting they wore a face mask in the past seven days when away from home has been fairly steady since last June.

Almost every month since then, approximately seven in 10 adults have reported wearing a face mask when outside their home — the exception being July, when it dipped to 60%. Since then, the rate has varied between 68% and 73%, with February on the low end of that range.