Majority of Americans say they do not generally answer their cellphone for unknown numbers, but many of them do listen to voicemails % of US adults who say they generally when an unknown number calls their cellphone
The results indicate that the first step in the contract tracing process may be challenged by reluctance to answer unknown calls. Only 19% of Americans report they generally would answer the phone to see who it is; another 14% would not answer and ignore a voicemail if one is left. The majority of U.S. adults (67%) would not answer the phone but would check a voicemail if left.
Majority of Americans say they do not generally  | answer their cellphone for unknown numbers, but  | many of them do listen to voicemails  | % of US adults who say they generally when an unknown number  | calls their cellphone  | Do not answer the  | Answer  | phone: NET 80  | the phone  | Check voicemail  | Ignore voicemail  | if left  | if left  | U.S. adults  | 14  | 67  | 19  | 12  | 23  | 65  | Men  | 15  | 16  | 68  | Women  | 12  | 70  | 17  | White  | 19  | 59 57  | 22  | Black  | 17  | 25  | Hispanic  | 66  | 13  | Asian*  | 20  | Ages 18-29  | 12 in  | 25  | .62  | I  | 67  | 30-49  | 18  | 70  | 50-64  | 16  | 65+  | 13  | 20  | 66  | 60  | 24  | 16  | Lower income  | 68  | Middle income  | 18  | 13  | Upper income  | 14  | 75  | 11  | Asian adults were interviewed in English only.  | Note: White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are  | not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2018  | earnings. Those who US did not give an answer are not shown. 2020  | Source: Survey of US adults conducted July 13 19, 2020  | "The Challenges of Contact Tracing as U.S. Battles COVID-19"  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 