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Albertans, and Canadians in general, regard COVID-19 as a serious threat and support the idea of social distancing to fight the spread of the pandemic, according to a poll released Tuesday by Leger.

However, the poll also indicates that people will self-isolate only to a point.

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In the poll conducted between Friday and Sunday, 16 per cent of respondents say the crisis is partly blown out of proportion and another four per cent believe it is blown way out of proportion. In Alberta, the numbers are higher — 22 per cent believe the crisis is partly blown out of proportion, while seven per cent believe it’s blown way out of proportion.

However, 58 per cent of Albertans fear contracting the virus, with 16 per cent saying they are “very afraid.”

In Alberta, 21 per cent said the crisis is having no effect on them going out to stores, restaurants or other places, compared with 16 per cent overall in Canada. Although 86 per cent of Albertans say they practise social distancing, exceptions are made to visit friends and family, or to visit loved ones in long-term-care homes (52 per cent).