Coronavirus: Peninsula Startup Launches Survey That Aims To Teach

SAN MATEO, CA — A San Mateo startup has launched a survey that aims to educate young people about the new coronavirus and how to prevent its spread.

Swytchback launched the COVID-19 survey on March 20, and since then, more than 20,000 men and women between the ages of 16 to 30 years with a profile to match US census have taken the survey. The survey results can be seen here.

The mobile survey – the “Swydget” – has been shared 793 times and has generated a 97% completion rate.

The survey found that nearly a quarter (23%) of Gen Z and Millennial respondents consider COVID-19 not at all serious, not very serious or mildly serious, and only about half (51%) consider it very serious.

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The survey examines young people’s perceptions of and knowledge about COVID-19 and identifies areas for improved communication and education to help prevent its spread. The survey was conducted in partnership with Tap Research.

The findings show that many Gen Zers and Millennials continue to have significant knowledge gaps concerning the coronavirus pandemic.

More than a quarter (26%) of respondents did not know there is no current cure for COVID-19, 14% of respondents did not know that asymptomatic people can spread the virus, and only 40% of respondents knew that the virus can also sicken 20-to 54-year-olds to the point of hospital care.

Despite the gaps in knowledge highlighted in the findings, the free form responses to the survey reflect concern among most respondents, especially for their family members.

“Swytchback runs an innovative mobile-base insight platform for companies to engage hard to find consumers including Millennials,” Swytchback founder Bruce Bower said in a statement.

“We wanted to help during this crisis, and it was clear to us that we could use our platform to understand information gaps while educating about the virus and containment. Our goal is to work with the CDC and other government organizations to monitor the state of young people throughout the crisis.”