According to a survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 39 per cent of adults do not expect life to be back to normal for at least 12 months. This is more than double the number (18 per cent) answering the same question in December 2020.
Around 7 per cent expect life to return to normal in less than six months – significantly down from the 28 per cent of optimists last December.
Measures for life satisfaction – the feeling that things done in life are worthwhile – and happiness all fell, while anxiety increased somewhat.
The ONS analysed responses from 3,276 adults in Britain between 1 and 12 December as part of its 'Opinions and Lifestyle' survey on the social impacts of Covid-19.
During this period, the government announced its Plan B in response to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, reintroducing certain protective measures. These include making face coverings mandatory in most indoor public areas, such as shops and transport...