Forty-nine percent (49%) of voters nationwide now fear the economic threat from the coronavirus more than the health threat. A Scott Rasmussen national survey conducted over the past weekend (April 30-May 2) found that 45% take the opposite view and are more worried about the health threat.
These numbers reflect a significant change over the past month. In late March, by a 55% to 38% margin, voters were more concerned about the health threat.
By a 53% to 42% margin, men are more worried about the economic threat. Women are evenly divided.
There remains a gaping partisan divide. By a 73% to 21% margin, Republicans are more worried about the economic threat. Democrats, by a 64% to 31% margin, worry more about threats to health.
In late March, Independent voters were more worried about the health threat by a 55% to 34% margin. Now, they are evenly divided (49% say health, 45% economy).
These results are consistent with other data showing that people are looking for actions that may loosen some of the restrictions. Voters nationwide are evenly divided as to whether the lockdowns should continue. And, they have come to recognize that it’s not simply a question of stay home to stay safe or go out and get sick. Voters recognize that there are significant mental and physical health risks associated with ongoing lockdowns.
Additionally, 51% now favor a proposal that would allow all who are not sick or vulnerable in their area to return to work. Thirty-eight percent (38%) are opposed, and 10% are not sure. That question was framed in the context of the area that the respondents lived in. These numbers are not a call for a national rule, but a recognition that different dynamics exist in different communities.
The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from April 30-May 2, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online while 179 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Certain quotas were applied, and the overall sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.