A look at the numbers
Tuesday, Apr 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* HuffPost/YouGov poll of 1,000 people conducted April 17-19…
Just 15% said there are too many coronavirus-related restrictions in place where they live, with 53% saying restrictions are at the right level, and 23% that there are not enough restrictions.
A 78% majority said state governments that have told residents to stay at home unless they have an essential reason for going out are making the right decision by issuing such orders, with just 9% saying those states are making the wrong decision. Americans said, 60% to 24%, that they’re more concerned that states will lift the restrictions too quickly than that they will not lift the restrictions quickly enough.
* Yahoo News/YouGov poll conducted April 17-19 of 1,597 adults…
The survey, conducted April 17 to April 19, found that a full 60 percent of the public opposes the largely pro-Trump protesters whose calls for governors to “liberate” their states by lifting lockdown measures have attracted intense media attention in recent days — and whose message the president amplified Friday in a series of all-caps “LIBERATE” tweets about three swing states: Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia.
Only 22 percent of Americans say they support the protesters. Despite Trump’s messaging, even Republicans oppose the protests 47 percent to 36 percent. Asked whether they agree or disagree with Trump’s “LIBERATE” tweets, only a quarter of Americans say they agree. […]
Seventy-one percent of Americans — and 56 percent of Republicans — say they are more concerned about lifting the coronavirus restrictions too quickly than lifting them too slowly. Only 29 percent of Americans say the opposite. The same number (71 percent) say they want public health officials “to be fully able to test and trace new cases and outbreaks” before reopening; only 29 percent say they want the country to reopen “as soon as possible to prevent further economic damage.” And more than twice as many Americans say the U.S. is not conducting enough coronavirus testing to track future outbreaks of the virus (52 percent) than say it is (22 percent). […]
Two-thirds of Americans (67 percent), including 66 percent of independents and 64 percent of Republicans, say they will continue to practice social distancing even after official restrictions are lifted; just 13 percent of Americans say they will not.
* Detroit Regional Chamber poll conducted April 15-16 of 600 Michigan residents…
Michigan residents prefer how Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has handled the coronavirus outbreak over President Trump’s response to the pandemic, according to a statewide poll released Monday.
The Detroit Regional Chamber’s survey found that 57 percent of residents approved of Whitmer’s handling of the pandemic, while 44 percent said the same about Trump. Disapproval of the governor’s response stood at 37 percent, compared with 50 percent for the president’s.
Approval for both political leaders was split along party lines. For Whitmer, 89 percent of Democrats backed her handling of the virus, compared with 22 percent of Republicans supporting her. Among independent voters, 56 percent approved of the governor’s efforts during the crisis.
* Washington Post-University of Maryland poll conducted April 14-19 of 1,013 adults…
How would you rate your state governor’s overall response to the coronavirus outbreak?
How would you rate President Trump’s overall response to the coronavirus outbreak?
* Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies conducted April 13-15 of 900 registered voters…
When do you think the coronavirus will be contained in the United States, to the point that the economy can return to normal and businesses can re-open and people can go back to work?
It has already 3
In the next few weeks 15
In the next few months 45
In the next year 26
Longer than the next year 6
Never 1
Not sure 4
Which worries you more about responding to the coronavirus and restrictions that require most Americans to shelter in place and only leave their homes for essential needs?
U.S. will move too quickly in loosening restrictions 58
U.S. will take too long in loosening restrictions 32
A bit of both (VOL) 3
Not sure 7
* Pew Research Center, conducted April 7 to 12 of 4,917 adults…
Democrats are largely united in their concerns over state governments easing bans on public activity; 81% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say their greater concern is that governments will lift these restrictions too quickly. Yet Republicans and Republican leaners are evenly divided. About half (51%) say their bigger concern is that state governments will act too quickly while slightly fewer (46%) worry more that restrictions on public movement will not be lifted quickly enough.
* Politico/Morning Consult poll taken April 10-12 of 1,990 registered voters…
More than eight in 10 voters, 81 percent, say Americans “should continue to social distance for as long as is needed to curb the spread of coronavirus, even if it means continued damage to the economy.” Only 10 percent say Americans “should stop social distancing to stimulate the economy, even if it means increasing the spread of coronavirus.” Nine percent of voters have no opinion.
While Democrats (89 percent) are more likely than Republicans (72 percent) to say Americans should continue the “social distancing” measures, large majorities in all demographic groups say it’s more important to stop the spread of the virus than to resume economic activity that could undermine those mitigation efforts. […]
By a ratio of more than 2 to 1, voters say they are more concerned about “the public health impact of coronavirus, including the spread of the disease which would cause more deaths,” than they are about “the economic impact of coronavirus including the effect on the stock market and increased unemployment.” Overall, voters break toward the public-health impact, 64 percent to 29 percent — though it’s more narrow among Republicans, 51 percent to 43 percent.
Three in four, 75 percent, say it’s more important for the government to address the spread of the virus, while 17 percent say it’s more important for the government to manage the economy.
- BallerState - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 9:50 am:
Makes sense. Large number polled. Representative. Let’s shelter forever
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 9:54 am:
=== Let’s shelter forever===
Not one person has said that.
Facebook is down the dial on the intertubes.
Thanks.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 9:56 am:
=Let’s shelter forever=
Another zombie victim.
- ItsMillerTime - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 9:56 am:
@Ballerstate
If by “forever” you mean 1-3 more months then yes let’s do that.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 10:01 am:
I’m not “Rich”, and I’m sure, 1,000% Rich is glad he ain’t me. Don’t drag Rich down to my low level.
Anyone who thinks, and can’t read words that no one says “shelter forever” prolly has worries more than their mouth breathing.
:)
To the post,
The images and stories relating to the AstroTurf type “we speak for the people” baloney… rarely do you find small, by statewide measures, protest groups speaking for any type of majority.
Ignoring science isn’t what the majority see as smart.
Oh, I cite the numbers… in this post.
- efudd - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 10:01 am:
“Virtue Signaling”
Check out the big brain on Brad.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 10:18 am:
Very reassuring to see many people supporting stay at home orders and opposing the foolish and selfish behavior of “coronavirus liberators.”
“Let’s shelter forever“
There should be a technical, Latin phrase for arguing like a child. I cobbled together argument “sicut juvenis.” No one is saying shelter at home forever. Many want to rely on experts to guide us, and thankfully so does our governor.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 10:20 am:
=How would you rate your state governor’s overall response to the coronavirus outbreak?
Excellent/Good 72
Not so good/Poor 26=
It would be interesting to see a state-by-state breakdown, because, of course, governors are doing very disparate things. On one hand, you’ve got Cuomo requiring masks, and on the other, DeSantis letting crowds hang out on the beaches.
- Flapdoodle - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 10:34 am:
These data are interesting in several ways. First, they suggest that sizable majorities of citizens have more sense than some of their elected leaders. Second, how persistent will these findings be as we move into summer, especially if the virus remains with us? Third, what if anything will they mean for the November elections? Interesting times.
And OW — lots of us are glad (in a good way) that you aren’t Rich.
Just imagine Oscar’s feelings . . .
- Rachel - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 10:39 am:
Found this study very reassuring- most people are behaving very reasonably. I was having my doubts after reading/viewing some recent stories. I know that media will report the unusual but I do think they need to be careful about the amount of time they spend on the activities of fringe groups.
A lot of people are having a very tough time and I’m sure that some of those demonstrators are in a financial bind. But if you want to get help from or change the opinion of others why act like total jerks? I was yelling “I hope you get it” at the television last night. That’s really bad on my part and I don’t really mean it but they make it very hard to care.
- Flapdoodle - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 10:41 am:
GoM — Not bad. If one wanted to push it, “immature and childish argument” comes out (says a friend) as “immatura et pueri effici ratio.” Throw that one around the dinner table.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 10:46 am:
- Flapdoodle -
:)
Oscar is a good boy. Rich and Oscar are a perfect set.
To your thoughts,
I’m going to be very interested in how PPP and the helping of businesses during this slow rollout… and how the infection, if it does reoccur or spikes… will that also lead to chasing federal monies to keep… polling… better?
That’s not how you manage a crisis either.
Stay well.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 10:58 am:
== First, they suggest that sizable majorities of citizens have more sense than some of their elected leaders.==
Hasn’t this always been true? I don’t know that we needed a poll to tell us that voters frequently elect the dumbest possible person they can find to represent them. Sometimes even as president….
- NATTY BOY - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 11:03 am:
I wonder how long it will be before common sense takes root and masks of any sort are mandated in public? When one is crammed in like capsules in a bottle of Tylenol at a WalMart, I think it only makes sense.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 11:06 am:
== I was yelling “I hope you get it” at the television last night. ==
Yelling at stupidity on TV is a perfectly normal reaction.
Just ask my wife. During the New Orleans / Katrina fiasco, I spent days yelling at the TV “why didn’t you use the buses to evacuate?” and “why didn’t you use the disaster recovery plan you had?”
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 11:17 am:
While I don’t like everything JB has done, he is overall on the right track. We started staying home before his orders, and we’ll mostly stay home after the orders are lifted. I expect a lot of people will shelter another 2 - 4 weeks at minimum.
That said, reopened businesses will learn to cope with degrees of social distancing. Diners will operate at half or one-third pre-corona capacity. Retailers will adopt new models and practices. I’ve already seen it in some drug stores and, especially, smaller hardware stores. They are glad for the business and want to keep everyone safe. More personal service by staff to get you in and out quickly. Hand sanitizer at the checkouts. Little things like that which all add up. I almost wonder if this may not be a disguised blessing for some of the mom and pop stores that have been forced to different business models.
- b - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 11:36 am:
Google translate suggests “puer dicatur” for “argue like a child”.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 11:50 am:
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 11:17 am:
While I don’t like everything JB has done, he is overall on the right track. We started staying home before his orders, and we’ll mostly stay home after the orders are lifted. I expect a lot of people will shelter another 2 - 4 weeks at minimum.
That said, reopened businesses will learn to cope with degrees of social distancing. Diners will operate at half or one-third pre-corona capacity. Retailers will adopt new models and practices. I’ve already seen it in some drug stores and, especially, smaller hardware stores. They are glad for the business and want to keep everyone safe. More personal service by staff to get you in and out quickly. Hand sanitizer at the checkouts. Little things like that which all add up. I almost wonder if this may not be a disguised blessing for some of the mom and pop stores that have been forced to different business models.
Many establishments will take none of these imaginary measures,RNUG.
- Big Jer - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 12:08 pm:
Echoing what RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 11:17 am said.
I am glad to see the numbers of people that are supportive of the stay at home orders, etc.
However given that the US is chasing the curve (testing, tracing, isolation) instead of being ahead of the curve, like South Korea or Singapore, I think there will come a time when we will be at a crossroads and need to reopen the economy and deal with the repercussions. Businesses will need to open to survive. Rents and Mortgages need to be paid. And given the federal government’s measly assistance to small businesses and workers in favor of corporate bailouts people will do what they have to do to survive.
I am not at all in favor of re opening the economy too soon but at some point we will need to and cope the best we can.
Hence RNUG’s comments.
BTW borrowing the metaphor ” I would not sell the bike shop yet Orville”, Singapore is have a second wave of the virus.
- OpentoDiscussion - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 12:22 pm:
As to the WP Poll asking voters about the favorability of their Governor vs Trump the results are not surprising.
Kind of like when voters are asked about their local Congressman vs Congress as a whole.
My guess this is going to be a very divisive geographically based issue unless the disease numbers trend upward all over the nation or, if that does not happen, many of the restrictions are lifted in areas where the rates are much lower.
RNUG’s comments about how this might develop going forward for the immediate future make sense.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 12:26 pm:
=== As to the WP Poll asking voters about the favorability of their Governor vs Trump the results are not surprising.
Kind of like when voters are asked about their local Congressman vs Congress as a whole.===
Nope. Sorry. No.
Both are Executives in governing.
It’s not even close to the same. Civics would teach you that.
- OpentoDiscussion - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 12:31 pm:
Oswego,
That’s your opinion for which you have about 50 every day.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 12:33 pm:
=== That’s your opinion…===
… that governors are not legislators? No. That’s how governing is.
Should I send you a civics book?
lol
- RNUG - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
== Many establishments will take none of these imaginary measures ===
And smart people won’t frequent those businesses.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 1:00 pm:
What numbers to… what?
Go troll with people who think Governors are legislators.
:)
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 1:47 pm:
=== I asked about specific citations for the claim you made.===
That Governors aren’t legislators.
Constitutions, the US and state ones.
===Someone who has a different view than his and should not invade his comfortable little PC world.===
If you’re done… the adults would like to get back to the Question of the Day.
Add something besides nonsense or look for like-minded Facebook friends.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 2:26 pm:
===… has morphed back to Constitutional Scholar after his two month foray into medicine.===
Get me a bag on the PGA Tour come July to loop then I’ll be in real bliss.
In the meantime?
Governors are polling better than POTUS, and are not CongressCritters, is because… they are acting as folks would have hoped a POTUS would’ve acted during a 50 state federal disaster.
Governors are securing PPE, navigating closures, working with scientists, health care workers, they’re opening things, they’re planning next steps… and are on Tee-Vee explaining what is going on.
No congressman can close schools, or activate the state’s national guards, impose stay at home orders…
… why?
Constitutional powers, powers no POTUS has over states.
The Guvs poll well because, well, they are organizing regional compacts outside the White House, implementing the White House plan… all while that White House works against itself.
Congressmen perpetually win their micro districts as governor have diverse states with, generally, multiple congressional districts too.
So, find me a bag, a loop on Tour, but these things like actual realities of the simple constitutional knowledge of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial… they will still be the same.
- OpentoDiscussion - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 2:40 pm:
My posts to Oswego have somehow disappeared.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 3:35 pm:
=I am not at all in favor of re opening the economy too soon but at some point we will need to and cope the best we can.=
The problem with doing that alone is that it leaves us with a hollowed out economy. Can airlines operate profitably with only 50% of their seats filled on a socially distanced plane? Does the movie theater make it when occupancy has to be reduced by half. What about the restaurant who can’t afford the lease because of the drop off in revenue?
Although comments here are nothing more than anecdotal evidence, they do suggest that a lot of people aren’t going to immediately go back to normal as it was pre COVID-19. And a lot of businesses won’t survive in the new normal.
- PA - Tuesday, Apr 21, 20 @ 4:10 pm:
I think our IL Governor is doing an excellent job.
- Burgee - Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 1:32 pm:
“Can airlines operate profitably with only 50% of their seats filled on a socially distanced plane? Does the movie theater make it when occupancy has to be reduced by half.”
You are underestimating the conditions for return. In order to properly social distance, half would be the absolute perfect world though, and that’s really not reality. Take the theater, a couple sits down next to each other, for social distancing, the 2-3 seats on either side can’t be sat in, and the 4-6 seats in front and behind can’t be sat in. So I would contend that no better than about 25% occupancy would be possible under ideal conditions. This would translate to plane seating as well, and maybe even need to be more stringent with the closed in atmosphere. And this doesn’t take into account the passing by of others to get to their seats.
I haven’t seen anyone provide any outline as to how businesses, especially those open to the public, are supposed to meet the social distancing guidance, but I think it will be very difficult to operate at a profit and meet these conditions.
I also don’t understand how restaurants fall into the first phase while bars have to wait for the third phase. Do restaurants with bars fall into the third phase or only that portion of the business that is a bar and the restaurant portion is able to follow first phase reopening?
If anyone out there knows how businesses are to actually open up and continue to comply with the social distancing, etc., please direct us to it.