Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics New Yorkers have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Siena College poll released Thu., Oct. 21, but at the same time state residents have become less optimistic that the worst of the crisis is fully in the past. The poll was conducted after a summertime spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations as the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19 spread. The majority of the most serious cases and deaths are among unvaccinated people, and public health experts have affirmed the vaccine offers strong protections. The poll found the majority of New Yorkers believe the worst of the pandemic is now over, but still many believe the worst is yet to come. New Yorkers have also learned to live with the virus: 78 percent reported thinking about protecting themselves and their family from the coronavirus as they go about their day; 91 percent are comfortable or very comfortable with going to a grocery store; 73 percent are comfortable with eating inside a restaurant; 61 percent are confident going to work at the job they had before the pandemic; and, 57 percent feel safe attending a movie. Wearing a mask is now an accepted aspect of daily life for nearly all New Yorkers: 91 percent reported carrying a mask anytime they leave home. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.