Table 2 Distribution [percentage of top two options from a 5-point Likert scale and means and standards deviations (SD)] of public attitudes toward COVID-19 related according to time in overall samples (N = 2568)

To what extent do you follow the news reports about the COVID-19 outbreak?

61.4%

3.76 ± 1.00

76.5%

4.13 ± 0.92

50.3%

3.48 ± 1.08

57.8%

3.61 ± 1.07

47.3%

3.41 ± 1.10

38.79

(< 0.001)

To what extent are you worried by the COVID-19 outbreak?

49.9%

3.55 ± 1.07

66.6%

3.91 ± 0.98

51.5%

3.49 ± 1.06

58.2%

3.61 ± 1.03

41.5%

3.29 ± 1.11

23.49

(< 0.001)

To what extent do you think the public is reacting in panic to the COVID-19 outbreak?

62.8%

3.78 ± 0.93

67.3%

3.95 ± 0.92

31.3%

3.16 ± 0.95

39.6%

3.25 ± 0.97

47.9%

3.46 ± 1.00

64.34

(< 0.001)

To what extent do you think the media is contributing to public concerns over COVID-19?

80.8%

4.14 ± 0.89

79.8%

4.17 ± 0.91

67.3%

3.84 ± 0.94

67.7%

3.87 ± 1.00

68.8%

3.92 ± 1.06

14.20

(< 0.001)

To what extent do you trust the public health instruction of the Ministry of Health during the COVID-19 outbreak?

52.8%

3.53 ± 1.05

74.5%

4.06 ± 0.87

38.0%

3.15 ± 1.04

43.0%

3.25 ± 1.06

24.9%

2.71 ± 1.15

118.19

(< 0.001)

To what extent do you think taking criminal action against individuals violating quarantine decree will increase compliance with MOH instructions?

69.2%

3.92 ± 1.04

78.7%

4.15 ± 0.91

65.5%

3.81 ± 1.07

62.7%

3.74 ± 1.09

46.3%

3.31 ± 1.21

42.12

(< 0.001)