41% Recently Had Dinner at Indoor Restaurant

Within the past month, 41% of voters have had dinner at an indoor restaurant. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that large numbers of voters have participated in activities discouraged by CDC guidelines:

• 32% have hung out with friends at someone’s house
• 17% admit to going out in public without a mask
• 15% have attended a church or religious event in person
• 15% attended a large family gathering
• 14% have met friends at a bar
• 13% have gone on a vacation
• 3% have attended a live concert or sports event.

Overall, two-thirds of voters (66%) have taken part in at least one of the above activities, all of which are frowned upon by the CDC. However, a separate survey found that most voters (54%) say they have never violated CDC guidelines. The difference may be due to a lack of awareness about CDC guidelines or it could just be socially unacceptable in some circles to admit a violation of those guidelines.

Another possibility is that people don’t consciously think of all the ways that their normal activities violate CDC norms. But, when asked about specific activities, they admit to taking part.

Regardless of the reason for this gap between behavior and admission of violating CDC guidelines, there remains a huge partisan gap in terms of behavior. Nearly half of all Democrats (44%) say that they have not taken part in any of the above activities during the past month. However, just 25% of Republicans and 32% of Independents say the same.