Despite Mask Wars, Americans Support Aggressive Measures To Stop COVID-19, Poll Finds

[Nevilledog]

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/04/898522180/despite-mask-wars-americans-support-aggressive-measures-to-stop-covid-19-poll-fi

With the national death toll from COVID-19 passing the grim 150,000 mark, an NPR/Ipsos poll finds broad support for a single, national strategy to address the pandemic and more aggressive measures to contain it.

Two-thirds of respondents said they believe the U.S. is handling the pandemic worse than other countries, and most want the federal government to take extensive action to slow the spread of the coronavirus, favoring a top-down approach to reopening schools and businesses.

"We've come to a pretty dire place when it comes to both the death toll and the spread of coronavirus across the country," said Mallory Newall, a pollster with Ipsos. "Americans, as they grapple with the reality of just how grave the situation is, they're looking for sweeping, really broad, powerful action here."

While debates over masks and whether to reopen have dominated headlines, more than three-quarters of respondents support enacting state laws to require mask wearing in public at all times. And nearly 60% said they would support a nationwide order making it mandatory to shelter at home for two weeks.

*snip*

[gratuitous]

1. Maybe the media should spend more time listening to the 60%?

Yeah, the viral videos of overprivileged dunces make for a voyeuristic experience, but how about spending more time chatting with the majority of people who understand the need for countermeasures, and talking up the extremely accessible things practically anyone can do to hamper the spread of the virus and protect themselves?

[LastDemocratInSC]

2. Most US citizens, regardless of party affiliation, have a strong survival instinct.