Roughly 60% of respondents of public awareness survey on measures against infectious diseases such as the new coronavirus said that they expect the government to promote research development in the science technology field.
This result reveals that a majority of people are calling for the early development of vaccines and therapeutic drugs.
The survey was conducted by the education ministry's National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) online between March 17 and 18 with 1,500 men and women aged between 15 and 69 participating. They were asked to choose from seven options (multiple answers allowed).
As a result, the options of "promotion of research development" (60.1%) and "providing easy-to-understand information to the public" (56%) each held a majority. On the other hand, only 23.7% chose the "thorough guidance and supervision to ensure compliance with legal regulations and systems" option.
By age group, 50% of the respondents in their teens and 20s chose "Promotion of research development," while 62% of those in their 30s and 40s as well as 68% of those in their 50s and 60s chose this option. The data shows that the higher the age group, the higher the interest in research development.
"The results indicate a widespread worry about the spread of the infection," an NISTEP official in charge said.
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