Tag: COVID lockdowns/mandates

Seventy-five percent (75%) of voters are close to resuming their normal life in terms of going out socially, traveling, and interacting with others in person. That’s up nine points from 66% in September.

A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 22% say they are not close to resuming their normal life (down eight points).

Those totals include 39% who are Very Close to resuming their normal life. That’s up ten points since September. Just 6% who are Not at All close.

These results come amidst a renewed burst of optimism that we are putting the pandemic behind us.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of White voters are close to resuming their normal life. So are 72% of Hispanic voters and 59% of Black voters.

Eighty-four percent (84%) of Republicans are close to resuming a normal life. So are 70% of Independent voters and 69% of Democrats.

However, GOP voters are much closer than other voters. Fifty-six percent (56%) of Republicans are Very Close to resuming their normal social interaction. Just 36% of Independents and 24% of Democrats have reached that point.

The hesitance of those who have been vaccinated to resume normal activities may be one factor driving economic challenges. Currently 45% of voters believe the U.S. is in a recession. Large majorities have experienced sharp inflation and supply chain issues.

Among those who have received the COVID vaccine, just 37% are Very Close to resuming normal social interaction. Among those who say they will never get vaccinated, that figure is 64%.

Among the vaccinated, 21% say they are not close to resuming normal activities.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

Which worries you more: That the Biden administration will re-open society too quickly or that they will wait too long?

36%    Too soon

38%    Wait too long

26%    Not sure

Question 2:

Some people have generally resumed their life and go out socially, travel, and interact with others in person. How close are you to resuming a somewhat normal life?

39%    Very close

36%    Somewhat close

16%    Not very close

6%    Not at all

4%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 28-30, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters nationwide believe vaccine requirements should be determined in the private sector. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 36% disagree and believe governments should establish the guidelines.

Those totals include 30% who believe individual companies should set the rules for their workforce and 24% who think the decision should be left up to individual workers. On the other hand, 21% believe the federal government should decide and 15% think the rules should be set by state and local governments.

Republicans, by a 65% to 28% margin believe that companies or workers should decide for themselves. Independent voters, by a 58% to 26% margin agree. Most Democrats, however, see it differently. By a 54% to 39% margin, those in President Biden’s party believe believe governments at some level should set the rules.

As on many issues, there is a significant divide between the views of White Democrats and Black Democrats. Twenty-six percent (26%) of Black Democrats believe individual workers should decide for themselves. Just 9% of White Democrats share that view.

These results are especially interesting because the same survey found that 54% of voters  at least somewhat favor the president’s mandate order. How can a majority think decisions should be made in the private sector at the same time a majority supports Biden’s top-down approach?

It turns out that just 36% of those who favor the president’s plan believe the federal government should make such decisions. Another 20% of those who support the president’s mandate believe the decision should be made at the state or local level. At the same time, 27% believe the decision should be made either by individual companies or workers.

On the flip side, those who disapprove of the president’s policy, 81% believe the decision should be made by individual companies or workers.

These results suggest support for the president’s plan is driven more by partisan loyalty rather than the plan itself.

Adding to the softness of support for the president’s vaccine mandate is the fact that just 33% of voters believe the president has the legal authority to order private companies to impose a vaccine requirement. Even among those who favor the plan, just over half (54%) believe Biden has the legal authority to impose it.

Related data shows that 39% of voters have relatives or close friends who will get vaccinated against their will because they don’t want to lose their job. That total includes 60% of Hispanic voters.

Additionally, 66% of voters are close to resuming their normal life in terms of going out socially, traveling, and interacting with others in person.

Still, pessimism about the pandemic remains high. Just 28%believe the worst is behind us. Forty-five percent (45%) believe the worst is yet to come. That matches the most pessimistic assessment since the vaccines rolled out in January.

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* How closely have you followed recent news stories about President Biden’s new vaccine mandates?

33%      Very closely

37%      Somewhat closely

17%      Not very closely

10%      Not at all closely

4%       Not sure

* Who should make the decision as to whether a company requires all employees to receive the COVID vaccine?

21%      The federal government

15%      State and local governments

30%      Individual companies

24%      Individual workers

10%      Not sure

Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 14-15, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of voters have relatives or close friends who will get vaccinated against their will because they don’t want to lose their job. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 32% do not and 29% are not sure.

Forty-three percent (43%) of Democrats know someone who will get vaccinated against their will. So do 38% of Republicans and 36% of Independents.

Sixty percent (60%) of Hispanic voters know someone who will get vaccinated against their will. That figure is 38% among White voters and 34% among Black voters.

The survey also found that 36% have relatives or close friends who will quit their job rather than get vaccinated. Forty-two percent (42%) do not while 23% are not sure.

The partisan and racial dynamics are essentially the same on that question.

Forty-five percent (45%) of voters know someone in both categories: those who will quit rather than get vaccinated and those who will get vaccinated against their will.

Data released earlier shows that just 33% of voters believe the president has the legal authority to order private companies to impose a vaccine requirement. Despite that,  54% at least somewhat favor the president’s mandate order.

Other data shows that 66% of voters are close to resuming their normal life in terms of going out socially, traveling, and interacting with others in person. If they tested positive for COVID, 68% believe it is likely they would recover quickly with only minor symptoms.

Still, pessimism about the pandemic remains high. Just 28%believe the worst is behind us. Forty-five percent (45%) believe the worst is yet to come. That matches the most pessimistic assessment since the vaccines rolled out in January.

* Do you have any relatives or close friends who will quit their job rather than get vaccinated?

36%      Yes

42%      No

23%      Not sure

* Okay, do you have any relatives or close friends who will get vaccinated against their will because they don’t want to lose their job?

39%      Yes

32%      No

29%      Not sure

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 14-15, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters nationwide believe it is more important for the government to protect the rights of individual Americans rather than doing what the majority wants. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 29% take the opposite views and believe following the majority is more important. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure.

Among voters who have received the COVID vaccine, 53% see protecting individual rights as the higher priority while 35% take the opposite view.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of Republicans see protecting individual rights as the higher priority. So do 52% of Independent voters and 48% of Democrats.

Data released earlier showed, in their own words, how vaccinated Americans view the unvaccinated. The responses are far less angry than you might expect from the media coverage.  Relatively few of the vaccinated expressed anger at the unvaccinated. Instead of anger, there are  many condescending comments about the perceived stupidity of the unvaccinated.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen from August 10-11, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of voters believe it’s time for the nation to move forward by  adapting to the ongoing nature of the pandemic. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 24% want to lockdown again until the pandemic is completely behind us.

Support for moving forward rather than locking down comes from 78% of Republicans, 59% of Independents, and 53% of Democrats.

When it comes to deciding which businesses are safe to visit, 53% of voters nationwide think individual Americans should decide for themselves. Thirty-one percent (31%) think Governors and Mayors should make that decision.

On this question there is a partisan divide. Seventy percent (70%) of Republicans think individual Americans should decide for themselves. By a 50% to 33% margin, Democrats place their trust in Governors and Mayors.

As for independents, 53% trust individual Americans and 22% are more comfortable letting elected officials decide.

Other recent surveys found that 57% of voters believe the lockdowns did more harm than good.

Pessimism about the pandemic has grown dramatically in recent months. It is currently at the lowest level recorded since the vaccines became available.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from September 2-5, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 151 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

Looking back over the past year, 57% of voters believe that shutting down businesses and locking down society did more harm than good. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 36% disagree and 17% are not sure.

Belief that the lockdowns did more harm than good is up a couple of points from a month ago. In May, 2020, a majority of voters took the opposite view.

The current totals include 32% who Strongly Agree that the lockdowns did more harm than good and 17% who Strongly Disagree.

Republicans overwhelmingly think the lockdowns did more harm than good. Independents, by a 49% to 26% margin, tend to agree. Most Democrats (52%) take the opposite view.

However, there is a divide between White Democrats and other Democrats.

• Most White Democrats (58%) reject the idea that the lockdowns did more harm than good.
• Among Black Democrats, 51% agree that the lockdowns did more harm than good.
• Among Other Democrats, 56% think the lockdowns did more harm than good.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from August 20-22, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 215 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

Thinking about the situation where they live 62% of voters are opposed to re-imposing stricter lockdowns. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that total includes 34% who favor a further easing of pandemic restrictions and 28% who say no change is needed.

Just 31% think it’s time to impose new lockdowns.

A majority of Republicans (79%) and Independents (58%) are opposed to further lockdowns. Democrats are evenly divided: 48% want more lockdowns while 46% do not.

Most voters who have already been vaccinated–58%–oppose more lockdowns. So do 82% of those who say they will never get vaccinated.

The survey also found that 48% of all voters would rather live in a state where masks and other social distancing rules are up to individuals and local businesses. Nearly as many–44%– would rather live in a state with strict mask mandates and social distancing rules.

Seventy-three percent (73%) of Republicans would rather live in a state where individuals and businesses are trusted to determine masking and social distancing rules. Seventy-one percent (71%) of Democrats take the opposite view and would rather live in a state with strict mask mandates and social distancing rules.

Independent voters, by a 53% to 26% margin, prefer a state where individuals and businesses make their own decisions.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 29-31, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 231 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of voters want schools in their area to re-open this fall. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 24% disagree and believe students should continue to take virtual classes from their homes. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.

Support for re-opening schools comes from 67% of suburban voters, 65% of rural voters, and 54% of urban voters.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of White voters support re-opening the schools. So do 64% of Hispanic voters. However, Black voters are evenly divided: 41% are ready for schools to open while 42% are not.

Modest support for re-opening schools is found even among those voters who believe the worst of the pandemic is yet to come. By a 47% to 38% margin, they reject the idea of keeping students at home for virtual learning. Among those who believe the worst of the pandemic is behind us, 83% think schools should re-open.

If schools in a particular area do not re-open this fall, 67% believe parents should have the option to send their children to another school that is holding regular classes. Just 15% disagree.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 22-24, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 271were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

Looking back over the past year or so, 55% of voters agree that “Despite good intentions, shutting down businesses and locking down society did more harm than good.” A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 38% disagree and 7% are not sure.

Those totals include 34% who Strongly Agree and 20% who Strongly Disagree.

Just over a year ago, 41% thought the lockdowns did more harm than good. So, the current numbers reflect a 14 percentage point increase in that number.

As on most pandemic related topics, there is a partisan divide. Most Republicans (76%) and Independents (51%) agree that the lockdowns did more harm than good. However, most Democrats (57%) disagree.

There is, however, a divide within the Democratic Party. White Democrats, by a 65% to 32% margin, reject the idea that lockdowns did more harm than good. Black Democrats and Other Democrats are evenly divided.

During the pandemic, government officials exercised extraordinary power over the lives of individual Americans. The survey also found that 62% are worried that many government officials will try to continue exercising such power over individual Americans.

Once again there is a partisan divide and a divide within the Democratic Party. White Democrats, by a 57% to 39% margin, are not worried about government officials keeping too much power. Black Democrats, by a 64% to 27% margin, are worried.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 22-24, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 271were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

Looking back, 49% of voters believe many states and cities overreact to the Coronavirus pandemic in ways that did more harm than good. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 38% disagree and 13% are not sure.

That’s virtually identical to the attitudes measured in February.

Seventy-three percent (73%) of Republicans believe many states and cities overreacted. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Democrats disagree. Among Independents 44% believe many overreacted while 38% do not.

The survey also found that 43% of voters now worry that the Biden Administration will wait too long in re-opening society. That’s up three points since April and up six points since February. Nearly as many–37%–believe the Administration will move too quickly.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of Republicans worry that the Biden team will wait too long. By a 46% to 28% margin, Independent voters tend to agree.

Democrats, however, have an entirely different perspective. By a 51% to 22% margin, those in President Biden’s party fear the Administration will move too quickly to re-open society.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from June 3-5, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 237 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

Forty-five percent (45%) of voters are aware of the new CDC guidelines on mask wearing. The agency recently said that those who are vaccinated no longer need to wear masks indoors. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 44% mistakenly believe that the older CDC guidelines remain in effect, guidelines that call for everyone to wear masks in a large social setting such as a restaurant or a bar. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure.

Most Republican voters (56%) are aware of the new CDC guidelines. Most Democrats (57%) are not. Independent voters are evenly divided. Given this partisan divide, it is interesting to note that earlier results found that Democrats were overwhelmingly likely to view the CDC guidelines as reliable and fact based. Republicans, by a 2-to-1 margin saw the agency as partisan and political.

This is consistent with other data showing that people’s underlying levels of caution and concern shape how they view the CDC. Overall, these findings suggest that CDC guidelines have little impact on individual behavior. Only 33% of voters claim to have followed news about CDC guidelines very closely. Additionally, as of a month ago, 66% of voters had already ignored CDC guidelines by taking part in activities discouraged by the agency.

The latest survey found that most who would not be comfortable going to a restaurant or bar incorrectly believe that the CDC still recommends wearing masks in such settings. Most who are comfortable going out to such locations are aware of the CDC guidelines.

Those who have already been vaccinated are evenly divided between those with a correct understanding of the current CDC policy and those who are clinging to the older guidelines.

Additional data from the survey will be released later today and tomorrow.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,500 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 20-22, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 216 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

Thirty-three percent (33%) of voters nationwide say that they are “Very Closely” following news about the CDC guidelines for behavior during the pandemic. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that total includes 48% of Democrats, 29% of Republicans, and 20% of Independent voters.

Among voters who have already been vaccinated or will be as soon as possible, 61% are following the CDC guidelines Very Closely. Among all other voters, just 20% are paying that much attention to the CDC. That includes people who want to wait and see before getting vaccinated, those who are in no rush, and those who will never get vaccinated.

It’s also interesting to note that there is little correlation between paying attention to the CDC and overall perceptions of the pandemic. Among voters who believe the worst of the pandemic is behind us, 33% are following CDC guidelines Very Closely. Among those who believe the worst is yet to come, that figure is 36%. This suggests that people are basing their perceptions of the pandemic primarily on sources other than the CDC.

Overall, at this time, 50% of all voters believe the worst is behind us.

The fact that 33% are following the CDC guidelines Very Closely is generally consistent with the fact that 66% have recently engaged in behavior that the CDC officially discourages.

The survey also found that 46% of voters believe the CDC has generally provided reliable and fact-based guidelines during the pandemic. Thirty-eight percent (38%) believe it has generally acted in a partisan political manner and 16% are not sure.

On this point, there is a wide partisan divide. By a 73% to 16% margin, Democrats believe the CDC guidance has been reliable and fact based. Republicans, by a 60% to 27% margin, believe the CDC has generally been partisan and political. Independent voters are evenly divided.

Since the COVID vaccines became available in January, there has been a roughly 80% decline in the number of reported cases and deaths from the virus. However, just 36% of voters nationwide are aware of the progress.  This may reflect the fact that 87% of national media coverage about the pandemic has been negative. National media coverage in the United States has been far more negative than coverage in scientific journals and other nations.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from April 29-May 1, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 241 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of voters think it’s likely that companies selling mask coverings are financially supporting campaigns to continue pandemic related mask mandates. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 23% disagree and 12% are not sure.

Those totals include 34% who believe it’s very likely and 9% who say it’s Not at All Likely.

Similar results were found on the question of vaccine passports. Sixty-two percent (62%) think think companies offering COVID vaccines and tests are financially supporting campaigns to require vaccine passports. Just 20% disagree.

This skepticism suggests that Americans instinctively understand the political dynamics of the regulatory process.  The process has been explained by the example of the Bootleggers and the Baptists. Powerful regulations often result from an unholy alliance between true believers and those who profit from the belief. Prohibition came about because Baptists were true believers and Bootleggers profited immensely from the fact that alcohol could not legally be purchased.

In this case, at least 57% of every measured demographic group consider it likely that mask companies are funding campaigns for mask mandates. One interesting dynamic is that the lowest level of skepticism on this point is found among people who would prefer policies like those offered by Bernie Sanders. Sanders’ style of populism is generally considered to have a strong bias against corporate elites. However, on this question, it is those who prefer Trump-like policies who are the most skeptical. On the question of mask mandates, 77% who prefer Trump policies believe campaigns are being funded by mask manufacturers. That’s 20-points higher than the number among Sanders-style populists.

This finding suggests that people on all sides of the political debate may be more skeptical about corporate motives when they disagree with the underlying policy objective. It is highly likely that supporters of Sanders-style populism would be more skeptical than those who prefer Trump-style populism on many issues.

Support for policies of a certain candidate were determined by the following question: Suppose you had a choice between four presidential candidates. All four had equal skills and temperament. Would you prefer a Republican who supported policies like President Trump, a more traditional Republican, a Democrat who supported policies similar to Senator Bernie Sanders, or a more traditional Democrat?

Over the past six months, responses to this question show that, on the GOP side of the aisle, Trump policies are strongly preferred over a traditional Republican. Democrats, on the other hand, are even divided between those who favor traditional Democrats or candidates pursuing Sanders’ policies.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from April 8-10, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 217 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, 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.

Looking back, 50% of voters believe many states and cities overreacted to the Coronavirus pandemic in ways that did more harm than good. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 37% disagree and 13% are not sure.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Republicans believe many states and cities overreacted. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Democrats believe that did not happen. Among Independent voters, 50% believe states and cities overreacted while 34% do not.

Men, by a 56% to 32% margin, are more likely to believe that many states and cities overreacted. Women are more evenly divided. Forty-five percent (45%) believe many overreacted while 41% do not.

For the second straight week, 39% of voters now believe the worst of the pandemic is behind us. Thirty-two percent (32%) now believe the worst is still to come. That’s little changed from 31% a week ago. However, last week was the first time ever that a plurality of voters believed the worst was behind us.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from February 25-27, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 156 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, 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.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of voters nationwide worry that the Biden Administration will wait too long to re-open society. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 36% have the opposite view and fear the Administration will move too quickly. Twenty-six percent (26%) are not sure.

By a 40% to 33% margin, suburban voters tend to worry that the Biden team will wait too long. Urban voters, by a 43% to 31% margin, have the opposite concern. Rural voters are evenly divided.

On a partisan basis, 61% of Republicans fear Biden will wait too long while 46% of Democrats believe he will move too fast. Independent voters are evenly divided.

Younger voters are more worried about re-opening too fast. Voters aged 45-64 are fairly evenly divided. Sixty percent (60%) of senior citizens worry that the new president and his team will take too long.

This survey was intended to measure general perceptions of President Biden’s approach. However, it should be recognized that the ultimate decisions on how quickly society should re-open will depend upon decisions made by governors, mayors, health officials, and individual Americans.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from February 11-13, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 112 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, 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.

To deal with the pandemic, 75% of voters believe President-elect Biden will impose a strict nationwide lockdown. A Political IQ poll found that 15% consider such a lockdown order unlikely while 9% are not sure.

Those totals include 40% who consider it Very Likely and just 3% who say it’s Not at All Likely.

At the same time, however, just 43% believe governments should be imposing stricter lockdowns where they live. The poll, conducted by Scott Rasmussen, found that 50% believe governments should either be easing restrictions (28%) or making no changes (22%). An additional 7% are not sure.

There is a broad expectation across all segments of society that Biden is likely to impose a strict national lockdown. However, there is a huge partisan divide as to whether that’s the right thing to do.

• Eighty-one percent (81%) of Republicans expect Biden will try to impose a strict national lockdown. Just 25% of GOP voters favor stricter lockdowns in their own area.
• Seventy-six percent (76%) of Democrats think it’s likely Biden will impose a strict national lockdown. Sixty-one percent (61%) of Democrats want stricter lockdowns in their area.
• Among Independent voters, 69% believe Biden will impose a national lockdown while 41% think that’s the appropriate policy.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from November 12-14, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 276 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied to the larger sample and lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, 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.

As Major League Baseball launches its truncated 2020 season, American voters are evenly divided as to whether they should be allowed to do so. A JustTheNews.com national survey found that 44% think they should be allowed to play while 42% believe professional sports should remain shut down until next year.

Most men (51%) favor a resumption of sports while a plurality of women (46%) are opposed.

More generally, attitudes towards the reopening of sports follow patterns similar to reopening other aspects of American society. Most Republicans (59%) like the idea while most Democrats (52%) are opposed. Independents are fairly evenly divided.

Older voters and White voters are more supportive of re-opening than younger voters and non-White voters.

Thirty-four percent (34%) of voters nationwide say it will be six month or longer before they feel safe going out in public without a mask. That total is up from 25% three months ago and includes 9% who say they will never feel safe without a mask.

• Forty-eight percent (48%) of Democrats say it will take at least six months, up twelve points from the earlier survey.
• Thirty percent (30%) of Independents say it will be at least six months, up ten points from May.
• Nineteen percent (19%) of Republicans share those views, up four points in three months.

At the other extreme, 37% are already comfortable without a mask or expect to be soon (within a month). That’s down two points from the earlier survey. The decline is primarily driven by Republicans. In May, 58% of GOP voters were comfortable or expected to be soon. That’s down to 51% now.

From a different perspective, a majority (55%) of those in the May survey expected they would be comfortable going out with a mask by now.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 2-4, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 129 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Certain quotas were applied to the overall sample and lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, 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.

There has been a lot of recent debate about how and when to re-open the U.S. economy. However, data from the latest Scott Rasmussen survey suggests that voters are interested in a broader discussion about how to re-open American society. The survey asked voters to prioritize the re-opening of various activities when the lockdown ends. For each activity, voters were asked whether it should happen right away or if it should be a second or third priority.

• Fifty percent (50%) said that allowing people to gather in small groups at someone’s home should happen right away.
• Thirty-five percent (35%) said that churches and other religious gatherings should be opened right away.
• Re-opening retail stores was also seen as a top priority by 35%.
• Thirty-one percent (31%) said the same about schools.
• Just 21% thought re-opening bars and restaurants should happen right away.
• Only 14% said the same about major league sports events and stadium concerts.

These results suggest that voters are interested in the broader questions of re-opening society, rather than narrow concerns about the economy. That’s not surprising since 23% say that the biggest impact they’ve felt from the pandemic is boredom, depression and isolation. Thirty percent (30%) cited loss of income as the biggest impact.

Additionally, even the re-opening of retail stores may reflect something more than economic concerns. Many people have experienced difficulties obtaining needed supplies during the pandemic—everything from food to health care items. Opening retail stores may be seen as a way to help address those concerns.

There are significant partisan differences in priorities. The most dramatic concerns the re-opening of churches and religious services. Forty-seven percent (47%) of Republicans believe that should be a top priority while only 29% of Democrats agree.

These results come from a survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from April 9-11, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online while 217 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Certain quotas were applied to the overall sample and 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.