PENNSYLVANIA PESSIMIST: Given that 2021 started with a riot at the Capitol and ended with another highly contagious surge of a new Covid variant, one could argue that the optimism bar for 2022 has been set pretty low. A recent poll asked the question — How optimistic are people about 2022?

The results of said poll found that overall residents of the United States are not very optimistic about 2022, with mediocre scores averaging 6 out of 10. Residents of Rhode Island proved to be the most optimistic in America, scoring a 7.2 out of 10 while Pennsylvania residents were among the least optimistic, scoring a 5.3 out of 10. The only two states who ranked less optimistic than Pennsylvania residents were West Virginia and Maine.

Pennsylvania residents appeared to be most optimistic about an improved economy and better personal finances in 2022. With regard to Covid, 20% of PA residents are optimistic we’ll turn the corner. However, when it comes to climate change, only 5% of residents think we’ll make progress tackling it.

Yet we genuinely do have reasons to be optimistic for the year ahead, if anything because we have become more resilient, according to a University of Michigan poll. Moreover, infections from Omicron appear to be declining; most schools, colleges and many workplaces have reopened, and airports are once again running on full capacity.

Considering its mass impact on our daily lives, as well as the immense loss it’s caused, it’s no surprise that many people are perhaps manifesting positivity towards the fight against Covid. However, climate change seems to be the last thing people are optimistic towards.

For more information and to view the interactive map data visit https://www.solitairebliss.com/blog/optimism-index-2022.