Polls Provide Insight Into Difficult Decisions Made During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By The Center for Public Policy at VCU’s Wilder School
October 23, 2020
Multiple times each year, the Wilder School Commonwealth Poll, conducted by the Center for Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, provides insight into the perspectives of Virginians on current events and pressing issues. The most recent poll was conducted in September 2020; this telephone survey of 804 adults living in Virginia had an estimated margin of error of 5.17 percentage points for all adults sampled, and 6.22 percentage points for likely voters.
Some of the questions in the September 2020 poll related to the pandemic, including the possibility of in-person schooling (compared to having students continue to learn virtually) and a potential coronavirus vaccine. As the pandemic continues, many are eager for a return to “normal.” The perspectives of citizens, and the subsequent actions taken by policymakers, will ultimately determine the course of the pandemic and the timeline for easing restrictions.
Perspectives on in-person schooling
In Virginia and across the United States, many children have moved to a virtual learning platform rather than attending school in-person. While this decreases the risk of spreading the coronavirus, it can also increase pressure on working parents and have negative mental health impacts on students and their families. Some also feel that the quality of virtual learning is not the same as that of in-person learning. When asked for their perspectives on a potential return to in-person learning, 55% of Virginians overall thought that it was not too safe or not at all safe to send children in their community back to school for in-person classes, while 42% thought that it was very safe or somewhat safe.
More than half of minorities (56%), who have been more negatively impacted by the pandemic than non-minorities, thought that it was not at all safe to have in-person classes. Democrats also were more skeptical, with 77% saying that it was not too safe or not at all safe. Conversely, Republicans were more likely to see in-person classes as very or somewhat safe (60%). 53% of parents of school-age children said the same. “The concerns over premature school openings confirm that adequate safety plans have not been shown to the people, particularly the minority communities,” said former Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder.
Perspectives on vaccinations
In addition to debates over a return to in-person schooling, debates also continue over the safety and efficacy of a coronavirus vaccine if and when one becomes available. Though vaccine manufacturers seem confident that a vaccine will start to become available later this year or in early 2021, not everyone is currently willing to be vaccinated. When asked if they would get a coronavirus vaccine, 40% of respondents said they were not too or not at all likely to get a Food and Drug Administration-approved, no-cost vaccine to prevent COVID-19, if one becomes available, while 58% said that they were very or somewhat likely to do so. This is comparable to a national level Gallup Poll finding released in August reporting that 35% of respondents said that they would not get a vaccine.
Women were more skeptical of getting a coronavirus vaccine than men. Women were evenly split with 48% being very or somewhat likely to get the vaccine, and 48% saying that they were not too or not at all likely. Conversely, seven in 10 men (70%) reported that they were very or somewhat likely to get vaccinated, with 52% saying that they were very likely to get one.
Differences also fell along party lines, with independents and Democrats being more likely to get the vaccine, with 63% and 59% being very or somewhat likely. Republicans were evenly split with 49% saying that they were very or somewhat likely, and 49% saying that they were not too or not at all likely to get one.
There has also been some discussion regarding making a vaccine mandatory if one should become available. When asked about this possibility, 66% said that they would be against having a requirement for vaccination if an FDA-approved, no-cost vaccine becomes available. 31% would support a required vaccine.
Looking ahead
Coronavirus cases continue to ebb and flow across the United States and around the world, and citizens and policymakers remain unsure of what the future will hold and when the pandemic will come to an end. While we wait, this and other polls can provide policymakers with the insights they need to make decisions that are reflective of the needs and opinions of those they serve.
Author: The Wilder School’s Center for Public Policy advances research and training that informs public policy and decisionmaking to improve our communities. Drawing on the wide-ranging expertise of Wilder School faculty, we provide services including leadership development and training, economic and policy impact analysis, survey insights and program evaluation to clients in governments, nonprofits, businesses and the public, across Virginia and beyond. Twitter: @CPPatVCU
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Polls Provide Insight Into Difficult Decisions Made During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By The Center for Public Policy at VCU’s Wilder School
October 23, 2020
Multiple times each year, the Wilder School Commonwealth Poll, conducted by the Center for Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, provides insight into the perspectives of Virginians on current events and pressing issues. The most recent poll was conducted in September 2020; this telephone survey of 804 adults living in Virginia had an estimated margin of error of 5.17 percentage points for all adults sampled, and 6.22 percentage points for likely voters.
Some of the questions in the September 2020 poll related to the pandemic, including the possibility of in-person schooling (compared to having students continue to learn virtually) and a potential coronavirus vaccine. As the pandemic continues, many are eager for a return to “normal.” The perspectives of citizens, and the subsequent actions taken by policymakers, will ultimately determine the course of the pandemic and the timeline for easing restrictions.
Perspectives on in-person schooling
In Virginia and across the United States, many children have moved to a virtual learning platform rather than attending school in-person. While this decreases the risk of spreading the coronavirus, it can also increase pressure on working parents and have negative mental health impacts on students and their families. Some also feel that the quality of virtual learning is not the same as that of in-person learning. When asked for their perspectives on a potential return to in-person learning, 55% of Virginians overall thought that it was not too safe or not at all safe to send children in their community back to school for in-person classes, while 42% thought that it was very safe or somewhat safe.
More than half of minorities (56%), who have been more negatively impacted by the pandemic than non-minorities, thought that it was not at all safe to have in-person classes. Democrats also were more skeptical, with 77% saying that it was not too safe or not at all safe. Conversely, Republicans were more likely to see in-person classes as very or somewhat safe (60%). 53% of parents of school-age children said the same. “The concerns over premature school openings confirm that adequate safety plans have not been shown to the people, particularly the minority communities,” said former Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder.
Perspectives on vaccinations
In addition to debates over a return to in-person schooling, debates also continue over the safety and efficacy of a coronavirus vaccine if and when one becomes available. Though vaccine manufacturers seem confident that a vaccine will start to become available later this year or in early 2021, not everyone is currently willing to be vaccinated. When asked if they would get a coronavirus vaccine, 40% of respondents said they were not too or not at all likely to get a Food and Drug Administration-approved, no-cost vaccine to prevent COVID-19, if one becomes available, while 58% said that they were very or somewhat likely to do so. This is comparable to a national level Gallup Poll finding released in August reporting that 35% of respondents said that they would not get a vaccine.
Women were more skeptical of getting a coronavirus vaccine than men. Women were evenly split with 48% being very or somewhat likely to get the vaccine, and 48% saying that they were not too or not at all likely. Conversely, seven in 10 men (70%) reported that they were very or somewhat likely to get vaccinated, with 52% saying that they were very likely to get one.
Differences also fell along party lines, with independents and Democrats being more likely to get the vaccine, with 63% and 59% being very or somewhat likely. Republicans were evenly split with 49% saying that they were very or somewhat likely, and 49% saying that they were not too or not at all likely to get one.
There has also been some discussion regarding making a vaccine mandatory if one should become available. When asked about this possibility, 66% said that they would be against having a requirement for vaccination if an FDA-approved, no-cost vaccine becomes available. 31% would support a required vaccine.
Looking ahead
Coronavirus cases continue to ebb and flow across the United States and around the world, and citizens and policymakers remain unsure of what the future will hold and when the pandemic will come to an end. While we wait, this and other polls can provide policymakers with the insights they need to make decisions that are reflective of the needs and opinions of those they serve.
Author: The Wilder School’s Center for Public Policy advances research and training that informs public policy and decisionmaking to improve our communities. Drawing on the wide-ranging expertise of Wilder School faculty, we provide services including leadership development and training, economic and policy impact analysis, survey insights and program evaluation to clients in governments, nonprofits, businesses and the public, across Virginia and beyond. Twitter: @CPPatVCU
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