People have been accused of being excessively pessimistic about SARS-CoV-2's future consequences; but a large survey shows that the majority of respondents was actually overly optimistic

Raude, Jocelyn, Marion Debin, Cécile Souty, Caroline Guerrisi, Clement Turbelin, Alessandra Falchi, Isabelle Bonmarin, et al. 2020. “Are People Excessively Pessimistic About the Risk of Coronavirus Infection?.” PsyArXiv. March 8. doi:10.31234/osf.io/364qj

Abstract: The recent emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 in China has raised the spectre of a novel, potentially catastrophic pandemic in both scientific and lay communities throughout the world. In this particular context, people have been accused of being excessively pessimistic regarding the future consequences of this emerging health threat. However, consistent with previous research in social psychology, a large survey conducted in Europe in the early stage of the COVID-19 epidemic shows that the majority of respondents was actually overly optimistic about the risk of infection.