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Short‑form take‑away





What was done?


A large‑scale survey (≈ 25 000 adults) across the United States measured three things: how often people were actually infected with SARS‑CoV‑2, how many of those infections were "silent" (no symptoms), and how much they reported feeling anxious or depressed because of the pandemic.



Key findings


Roughly one in five adults had been infected at least once.

Among those infected, about 60 % experienced no symptoms at all – a silent spread that’s hard to track without testing.

* People who had never gotten sick reported higher levels of pandemic‑related anxiety and depression than those who had actually been infected.





Why it matters


The high rate of asymptomatic infections explains why community transmission can be so insidious; people may unknowingly spread the virus. At the same time, the mental‑health impact is strongest among those who haven’t personally experienced illness – highlighting that emotional toll isn’t tied directly to physical infection.

Bottom line: Silent, symptom‑free cases are a major driver of spread, while the pandemic’s psychological strain hits hardest on those who haven’t been personally affected. Understanding both sides helps shape more effective public health and mental‑health strategies.