NEW YORK: More than half the 1,440 consumers surveyed in a Weber
Shandwick Worldwide study of post-September 11 attitudes said they never
expect life in the US to return to "normal."
The 58% saying they did not think there would be a return to normal
dwarfed the 25% of more optimistic respondents who said they expected
life to return to normal within a few years. Of those surveyed, 16% said
they believe normalcy can return within 6-12 months.
While the poll, as expected, found more traumatized respondents in NYC
and Washington, DC, it also found that DC insiders are more fearful of a
terrorist or military strike than the rest of the US. DC insiders were
defined as including senior congressional staff, public policy experts,
and the media.
"Our survey suggests that Washington's focus on terrorism is not likely
to wane as quickly as it might in other parts of the country," said Jack
Leslie, chairman of WSW. "The American people may not stay fixated on
the topic of terrorism largely because they are beginning to adapt to a
new way of life, where long lines at airports and the loss of some
personal liberties are more routine."
According to WSW, 58% of members of the public surveyed said they felt
"very secure" or "somewhat secure" against terrorist or military
attacks, compared with just 36% of Washington insiders.
The WSW survey is the first in a planned series of reports that will
measure the US mood.
