53% Say Loss of Educational Opportunities Bigger Threat to Kids Than COVID; 31% Disagree

Posted on January 9, 2022 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters believe the loss of educational opportunities from shutting down schools is a bigger threat to children than the possibility of getting COVID. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 31% disagree and believe COVID is the bigger threat.

Republicans overwhelmingly see the loss of educational opportunities as the bigger threat. Independent voters agree by a 2-to-1 margin.

Democrats, however, disagree. By a 47% to 35% margin, those in President Biden’s party see the possibility of getting COVID as the bigger threat.

The survey also found that 36% believe it should be against the law for unvaccinated Americans to fly on commercial airlines. Forty-five percent (45%) disagree.

There is also a significant divide on this question. Democrats, by a 2-to-1 margin, believe it should be against the law for the unvaccinated to fly. Republicans disagree by an even wider margin (60% to 24%). Among Independents, 30% believe it should be against the law while 49% 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.

Question 1:

What is the bigger threat to children: the possibility of getting COVID or the loss of educational opportunities from shutting down schools?

31% Getting COVID

53% Loss of educational opportunities

16% Not sure

Question 2:

Should it be against the law for unvaccinated Americans to fly on commercial airlines?

36% Yes

45% No

19% Not sure

Question 3:

If you tested positive for COVID, how likely is it that you would recover quickly with only minor symptoms?

39% Very likely

35% Somewhat likely

7% Not very likely

5% Not at all likely

14% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on January 3-4, 2022. 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 +/- 3.1 percentage points.

54% Want to Balance COVID Concerns with Social, Lifestyle, and Economic Concerns; 34% Want to Focus on Stopping COVID at All Costs

Posted on January 7, 2022 | by Staff Writer

When fighting the COVID pandemic, 54% of voters believe the focus should be on balancing health care concerns with social, lifestyle, and economic concerns. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 34% disagree and believe it is more important to stop COVID at all costs.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of Republicans believe a balanced approach is best. Independent voters, by a 49% to 35% margin, tend to agree. Democrats are evenly divided.

The survey also found that 30% of voters now believe the worst of the pandemic is behind us while 39% believe it is still to come.

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Question 1:

Which of the following best describes your reaction to taking the COVID vaccine?

66% I have already been vaccinated.

3% I want to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

6% I want to wait and see how it works before getting vaccinated.

9% I’m in no particular rush to get vaccinated.

13% I will never get vaccinated.

3% Not sure

Question 2:

Is the worst of the pandemic behind us, or is it still to come?

30% Behind us

39% Still to come

30% Not sure

Question 3:

Is it more important to stop COVID at all costs or to balance health care concerns with social, lifestyle, and economic concerns?

34% Stop COVID at all costs

54% Balance concerns

12% Not sure

Methodology

Pandemic? 74% Close to Resuming Normal Life

Posted on December 27, 2021 | by Laura Lington

Seventy-four percent (74%) of voters are close to resuming their normal life in terms of going out socially, traveling, and interacting with others in person. That’s down just a single point from late October, but up eight points from 66% in September.

A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 23% say they are not close to resuming their normal life.

The number of people close to resuming normal life held steady despite increasing pessimism about the pandemic. Following a burst of optimism in October, the numbers reversed somewhat in November. In December, when asked if the worst was behind us or yet to come, there were more pessimists than optimists. Pessimism today is near the highest level since vaccines became available.

Those latest numbers include 51% who have already resumed normal life or are Very Close to doing so.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters are comfortable going mask-less to a restaurant, bar, or other social setting with a large number of people. That includes 48% of the vaccinated and 64% of the unvaccinated.

Some vaccinated Americans remain very hesitant about resuming normal social routines. Fifty-nine percent (59%) believe their reluctance to re-engage in somewhat normal activities is hurting the economy. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 21% disagree and 20% are not sure.

Additionally, 49% believe that President Biden and other leaders should encourage vaccinated Americans to resume a normal social routine more fully. On that question, 30% disagree and 21% are not sure.

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Question 1:

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?

33% I already have

18% Very close

23% Somewhat close

16% Not very close

7% Not at all close

3% Not sure

Question 2:

How comfortable are you going mask-less to an indoor restaurant, bar, or other social setting with a large number of people?

30% Very comfortable

23% Somewhat comfortable

19% Somewhat uncomfortable

24% Very uncomfortable

3% Not sure

Question 3:

If you were invited to a social event with a large number of people, how likely is it that you would ask whether everyone attending has been vaccinated?

23% Very likely

17% Somewhat likely

20% Not very likely

32% Not at all likely

7% Not sure

Question 4:

If someone receives the COVID vaccine, should they still be required to wear a mask and socially distance from other people?

54% Yes

30% No

16% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 21-22, 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.

On Vaccine Mandates, 48% Believe Scientists Likely to Falsify Data To Support Their Personal Views

Posted on December 20, 2021 | by Laura Lington

When it comes to vaccine mandates and related topics, 48% of voters consider it likely that scientists would falsify their data to support their personal views of what should be done. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 41% consider it unlikely and 11% are not sure.

Those totals include 21% who say it is Very Likely scientists would falsify their data and 19% who say it’s Not at All Likely.

Most Republicans (67%) consider it likely while most Democrats (57%) consider it likely. Independent voters are evenly divided.

Data released earlier showed that 47% of voters believe Dr. Anthony Fauci makes his recommendations primarily on scientific data and research. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree and think his recommendations are based upon his own personal and political views.

Forty-eight percent (48%) believe the CDC has generally provided reliable and fact-based guidelines during the pandemic. Thirty-two percent (32%) think it has generally acted in a partisan political manner and 20% are not sure.

Looking back, 58% of voters believe that shutting down businesses and locking down society did more harm than good. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 35% disagree and 17% are not sure.

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Question:

When it comes to vaccine mandates and related topics, how likely is it that scientists would falsify their data to support their personal views of what should be done?

21% Very likely

27% Somewhat likely

22% Not very likely

19% Not at all likely

11% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 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.

61% Favor Easing Vaccine Mandates for Police Officers, Firefighters, Health Care Workers

Posted on November 19, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Sixty-one percent (61%) of voters favor relaxing vaccine mandates for police officers and fire fighters to avoid closing police and fire stations. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 29% are opposed.

By a 61% to 30% margin, voters also favor relaxing vaccine mandates for health care workers so that hospitals and other health care facilities can remain open.

Data released earlier showed that 59% favor relaxing mandates to ease supply chain problems.

These findings, along with other data, provide a sense that support for the mandates is soft. Forty-eight percent (48%) of voters now say they favor the mandates. That’s down six points over the past two months.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of voters are close to resuming normal life.

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Question 1:

A number of police officers and firefighters have quit rather than get the COVID vaccine. In some areas, police and fire stations have closed. Would you favor or oppose relaxing vaccine mandates to avoid closing police and fire stations?

42% Strongly favor

19% Somewhat favor

13% Somewhat oppose

16% Strongly oppose

10% Not sure

Question 2:

Some healthcare workers have quit rather than get the COVID vaccine. This may cause some hospitals and healthcare facilities to close. Would you favor or oppose relaxing vaccine mandates so that hospitals and other health care facilities can remain open?

44% Strongly favor

17% Somewhat favor

11% Somewhat favor

19% Strongly favor

9% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on November 15-16, 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.

Support for Vaccine Mandate Declines; Just 30% Believe President Has Legal Authority to Order It

Posted on November 19, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Forty-eight percent (48%) of voters the Biden administration’s attempt to mandate COVID vaccines for all workers at companies with more than 100 workers. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 46% are opposed.

Those figures reflect a decline in support over the past two months. In mid-September, 54% favored the mandate and 37% were opposed.

One possible reason for the decline is that 63% of voters have experienced supply chain problems. Fifty-nine percent (59%) favor relaxing vaccine mandates to ease the supply chain problems.

The survey also found that a majority of voters (53%) do not believe the president have the legal authority to impose his order on private companies. That’s up eight points since September.

Thirty percent (30%) now believe the president does have the authority to implement the mandate. That’s down three points over the past two months.

The question of legality is currently working it’s way through the courts.

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Question 1:

For all companies with more than 100 employees, the Biden administration has mandated that they must require their workers to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?

29% Strongly favor

19% Somewhat favor

11% Somewhat oppose

35% Strongly oppose

6% Not sure

Question 2:

Regardless of whether you favor or oppose the vaccine mandates, does the president have the legal authority to order private companies to impose a vaccine requirement?

30% Yes

53% No

17% Not sure

Methodology

59% Favor Relaxing Vaccine Mandates to Ease Supply Chain Problems; 28% Oppose

Posted on November 18, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of voters favor relaxing vaccine mandates to ease supply chain issues. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 28% are opposed to relaxing the mandates and 13% are not sure.

Those totals include 35% who Strongly Favor relaxing the mandates and 14% who are Strongly Opposed.

The survey found that 63% of voters have recently experienced supply chain issues such as backorders, delays, and shortages of items they would like to buy.

Fifty percent (50%) of voters believe vaccine mandates have made supply chain problems worse. Twenty-two percent (22%) disagree and 28% are not sure.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republicans favor relaxing the mandates. Independent voters by a 54% to 31% margin, agree. Democrats are more evenly divided– 48% favor relaxing the mandates and 40% are opposed.

As on many issues, there is a gap between the views of White Democrats and Black Democrats. By a 47% to 43% margin, White Democrats oppose relaxing the mandates. Black Democrats favor relaxing the mandates by a 51% to 32% margin. Hispanic and other Democrats favor relaxing the mandates by a 64% to 28% margin.

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Question 1:

Have you recently experienced any supply chain problems such as backorders, delays, or shortages of items you would like to buy?

63% Yes

29% No

7% Not sure

Question 2:

Have vaccine mandates made supply chain problems more severe?

50% Yes

22% No

28% Not sure

Question 3:

Would you favor or oppose relaxing vaccine mandates to ease supply chain issues?

35% Strongly favor

24% Somewhat favor

14% Somewhat oppose

14% Strongly oppose

13% Not sure

Methodology

40% Believe Worst of Pandemic Behind Us; 30% Say It’s Still to Come

Posted on November 4, 2021 | by Laura Lington

Forty percent (40%) of voters now believe the worst of the pandemic is behind us. That’s up two points from two weeks ago. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 30% disagree and believe the worst is yet to come (down four from two weeks ago). Another 30% are not sure.

While just a modest improvement from two weeks ago, the numbers are decidedly more upbeat than they were a month ago. As October began, just 28% believed the worst was behind us while 42% thought it was still to come.

Looking back, optimism peaked in May when 56% believed the worst was behind us. That figure fell to 28% by the end of July.

From mid-July until mid-October, the number expressing a pessimistic view consistently topped the number who were optimistic.

Republicans remain more optimistic than other voters. Forty-eight percent (48%) of GOP voters believe the worst has come and gone. That’s little changed from two weeks ago. Thirty-seven percent of Democrats now believe the worst is behind us (up three points from two weeks ago). So do 37% of Independent voters (up five).

The survey also found that 51% believe those who have been vaccinated should still be required to wear a mask and socially distance from others.

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Question 1:

If someone receives the COVID vaccine, should they still be required to wear a mask and socially distance from other people?

51% Yes

33% No

16% Not sure

Question 2:

Is the worst of the pandemic behind us, or is it still to come?

40% Behind us

30% Still to come

30% 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.