Media, airlines only two industries Americans trust less during pandemic, survey shows

Airline companies and media outlets are the only two major industries to have their approval numbers drop during the pandemic, according to a recent survey of consumer opinions during the COVID-19 crisis. 

An Axios/Harris corporate reputation poll found that consumers trust media 5% less than they did before the start of the pandemic; airlines, meanwhile, took a 7% hit in reputation. 

The medical industry posted the biggest gains in corporate esteem, with consumers reporting 47% more favorable opinions of doctors, nurses and hospitals than before the emergence of COVID-19. Grocery stores, technology firms, and restaurants also saw big jumps in favorable opinions. 

Even oil companies saw their approval ratings jump by 6%. Entertainment, meanwhile—an industry that has become ever-more ubiquitous as millions of Americans have found themselves cooped up at home—has seen a 7% increase in favorability.