An overwhelming majority (84%) of likely voters at least somewhat support federal, state and local governments telling Americans that they can’t go to work to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This number is significantly higher than the number of likely voters who are personally concerned that they could contract the virus (66%).
Voters over 65 are the most likely to support COVID-19 policies with 93% at least somewhat supporting them and 66% strongly supporting them. In comparison, 40% of voters aged 18-29 strongly support these policies.
Republicans and Democrats are on the same page when it comes to social distancing policies: 61% of Republicans and 59% of Democrats strongly support them - it is Independents that are least likely to support these policies (41% strongly support them). Other groups comparatively less likely to support social distancing policies put forward by federal, state and local governments are African Americans (33% strongly support them), Generation Z (35% strongly support them) and suburban males (44%).
Two-thirds (66%) of likely voters are worried about contracting coronavirus while a quarter (23%) are not worried. Despite the risk profile of COVID-19 which makes it comparatively more dangerous for older voters, younger generations tend to be more worried about contracting it. Thus, 65% of those aged 18-29, 71% of those aged 30-49 and 66% of those aged 50-64 are worried about contracting the virus, compared to 59% of those aged over 65. Statistics show that males are more vulnerable than females to COVID-19, and they are slightly more worried: 69% are worried compared to 65% among females. Democrats (75% are worried about contracting the virus) are more worried than Republicans (64%) and Independents (59%). Also, large city (71%) and medium city (71%) voters are more worried about contracting the virus than rural area residents (61%). Liberals (78%), Hispanics (75%), urban parents (74%), suburban females (70%), weekly Walmart shoppers (73%) and Catholics (74%) are also more worried than most about contracting the virus.
Fifteen-percent of likely voters report that they are currently experiencing or have recently experienced COVID-19 like symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath). Perhaps surprisingly, it is younger voters (e.g. 29% of those aged 18-29 report having experienced COVID-19 symptoms) that are the age-group most likely to report having experienced symptoms. Males (20%), large city residents (23%), Hispanics (25%), African-Americans (24%), urban parents (30%), Generation Z (29%) and Millennials (27%) are also some of the groups most likely to report having experienced COVID-19-like symptoms recently.
Conclusions
Federal, state and local government's efforts to contain COVID-19 through social distancing policies enjoy support of an overwhelming majority of American voters. This does not stem solely from their concern for their own safety. While two-thirds of likely voters are worried about contracting the virus, the number that supports social-distancing policies is significantly higher.
Furthermore, groups that are most worried about contracting the virus themselves are not necessarily the most supportive of the policies. This is particularly evident in respect to age. For example, voters over 65 are the most likely to support COVID-19 policies with 93% at least somewhat supporting them and 66% strongly supporting them. In comparison, 40% of voters aged 18-29 strongly support these policies. However, younger generations tend to be more worried about contracting the virus themselves. Thus, 65% of those aged 18-29 are worried about contracting the virus, compared to 59% of those aged over 65 - a group most at risk. In another twist, younger voters are also significantly more likely to report experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms (fever, dry cough, shortness of breath): while 29% of those aged 18-29 report experiencing or having recently experienced these symptoms, only 2% of those over 65 do. Whether this reflects reality, or minds playing games on anxious young people remains to be seen.
The pandemic has not erased partisan differences, but it has diminished them - if anything, it is Independents who are most notably diverging from the consensus view. Thus, Republicans and Democrats are essentially on the same page when it comes to social distancing policies: 61% of Republicans and 59% of Democrats strongly support them. In contrast, 41% of Independents strongly support them. Independents are also least likely to be personally worried about contracting the virus.
The social, economic, political, and health standing of the world in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly uncertain. However, right now there exists a broad consensus across parties and generations for social-distancing policies enacted by federal, state and local governments that goes beyond personal concerns regarding one's own health.
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Zogby Analytics Poll Methodology
US Likely Voters
3/24/20 - 3/26/20
Zogby Analytics conducted an online survey of 889 likely voters in the US.
Using internal and trusted interactive partner resources, thousands of adults were randomly invited to participate in this interactive survey. Each invitation is password coded and secure so that one respondent can only access the survey one time.
Using information based on census data, voter registration figures, CIA fact books and exit polls, we use complex weighting techniques to best represent the demographics of the population being surveyed. Weighted variables may include age, race, gender, region, party, education, and religion. The party breakdown for this survey is as follows: 36% Democrat, 36% Republican and 28% Independent/unaffiliated.
Based on a confidence interval of 95%, the margin of error for 889 is +/- 3.3 percentage points. This means that all other things being equal, the identical survey repeated will have results within the margin of error 95 times out of 100.
Subsets of the data have a larger margin of error than the whole data set. As a rule we do not rely on the validity of very small subsets of the data especially sets smaller than 50-75 respondents. At that subset we can make estimations based on the data, but in these cases the data is more qualitative than quantitative.
Additional factors can create error, such as question wording and question order.
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About Zogby Analytics:
Zogby Analytics is respected nationally and internationally for its opinion research capabilities. Since 1984, Zogby has empowered clients with powerful information and knowledge critical for making informed strategic decisions.
The firm conducts multi-phased opinion research engagements for banking and financial services institutions, insurance companies, hospitals and medical centers, retailers and developers, religious institutions, cultural organizations, colleges and universities, IT companies and Federal agencies. Zogby's dedication and commitment to excellence and accuracy are reflected in its state-of-the-art opinion research capabilities and objective analysis and consultation.