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Many Americans have taken significant steps back from once-routine  precautions, with fewer than half now saying they regularly wear , avoid crowds and skip nonessential travel.

Americans are letting down their guard even as experts warn  of COVID-19 cases is coming. A new poll from  shows fewer people taking protective measures than at any point in AP-NORC polls conducted since early 2021.

The poll found 44% say they often or always wear a face mask around people outside of their homes, down from 65% in January when infections of  were soaring. Just 40% say they’re largely avoiding nonessential travel, compared with 60% in January. And 47% say they regularly stay away from large groups, down from 65% in January.

Most Americans say they at least sometimes still follow those safeguards. But they’re increasingly returning to pre-pandemic norms as coronavirus infections have fallen to their lowest level since July.