Opinion | What if a Covid-19 vaccination could give you a better, happier life?
- Vaccinated people surveyed in Tokyo, New York and Shanghai report better social and psychological well-being and expect better earnings than the unvaccinated
- Such findings, while far from conclusive, do add to the moral impetus to get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible
It is hard to say for sure, but findings from a survey by Zectr of people across Tokyo, New York and Shanghai suggest that the vaccinated (and those who intend to be) may indeed be building better lives.
A broad comparison across the three cities reveals that vaccination is associated with a brighter future. Tokyo not only features the lowest vaccination rate, but also the worst expected earnings and spending power; while 21 per cent of respondents expect their disposable incomes to shrink this year compared to last year, only 10 per cent expect them to grow.
Of those expecting a decrease, 38 per cent expect a pay cut, 35 per cent a lower bonus and 34 per cent a reduction in working hours.
New York and Shanghai, in contrast, feature higher vaccination rates and appear to be further along the road to economic recovery; slightly more respondents in both cities expect their disposable incomes to grow.
