Gallup poll shows concern about lack of COVID-19 distancing in U.S.

July 6 (UPI) -- Record numbers of Americans are wearing masks in public and expressing concern that there's a critical lack of distancing in their communities, a survey showed Monday.

Gallup said the survey, taken during the last week of June, showed 54 percent of U.S. adults say there's a lack of distancing, the first time the pollster has found a majority share on the issue.

The results of the poll follow weeks of rising COVID-19 cases in states nationwide, which some experts have attributed to loosening restrictions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends about 6 feet of distance to avoid spreading the coronavirus disease.

"Although the most recent COVID-19 hotspots are located in the southern and western United States, there is no significant difference in the levels of worry about social distancing in the four regions of the country," Gallup wrote.

Politically, 77 percent of Democrats and 24 percent of Republicans said they're worried about distancing.

The survey also showed 86 percent of Americans, a record share, said they have worn a mask in public, an increase of 51 percent since April.

"As Americans are seeing numerous instances of a lack of social distancing in crowded venues, they are becoming increasingly concerned," Gallup added. "As a result, the public is recalibrating attitudes and behaviors after moving toward a more lax approach in the prior month or so."

Gallup polled more than 3,400 respondents for the survey, which has a margin of error of 3 points.