The COVID-19 Local Impact Survey is an online survey implemented in participating public health units across Ontario in November 2020 and repeated in March 2021.
Each survey was open for approximately 6 weeks to gather feedback from Simcoe Muskoka adults ages 18+ to learn about the financial, mental, physical and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local population.
Two groups completed the survey:
- Web panel – 240 local residents were contacted by York University Institute of Social Research to complete the survey in November 2020. Approximately half of the original group completed the survey in March 2021, providing SMDHU with a small sample of data to assess changes in behaviours and attitudes among the same individuals.
- Convenience sample – an online survey, available in both English and French was promoted by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit via survey links on the health unit’s website.The survey was open to all residents ages 18 years of age and over.Over 2,350 residents completed the survey in November 2020 and 2,920 completed the survey in March 2021
In order to ensure the convenience sample was as representative as possible, ongoing assessments of socio-demographic characteristics of respondents were conducted. When needed, social media posts targeting under-represented groups were implemented to encourage participation. Health unit staff also promoted the survey to their community partner agencies who were asked to promote the survey to their clientele, many of whom are more vulnerable to the impacts of the pandemic. Despite these efforts, males, people without any post-secondary education, people who do not speak English or French as their first language, and young adults 18-34 are under-represented.
November results from the web panel survey and the convenience sample were combined together and weighted by age and sex for public reporting purposes.