Key takeaways
- Americans now rate the coronavirus pandemic as the top issue Biden and Congress should be focused on.
- Majorities of Americans support mask mandates and vaccine requirements.
- Arguing that the country has always had vaccine requirements – including for polio and smallpox – is effective in justifying a vaccine mandate against conservative criticism.
As Coronavirus Case Numbers Rise Again, the Pandemic Returns to Top Priority Over Jobs and the Economy
In mid-July, 41% said Biden and Congress needed to focus most on the economy and 33% said the pandemic; now, 43% say the pandemic and 35% the economy. A majority (54%) still feel the pandemic is what Biden is most focused on.
![](https://navigatorresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-05-at-4.25.26-PM-640x252.png)
Majorities Support Their Local Community and U.S. More Broadly Re-Introducing Masking Mandates & Social Distancing
Among independents, three in five (60%) support their local community re-introducing mask mandates and social distancing while 67% support communities with increasing levels of infection doing the same.
![](https://navigatorresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-05-at-4.25.34-PM-640x259.png)
Among Those Vaccinated, Three in Five Say They Will Wear Masks Indoors in Public Places Following New CDC Guidance
Almost three in four (74%) say they will wear masks indoors in at least most public indoor settings.
![](https://navigatorresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-05-at-4.25.41-PM-640x279.png)
Nearly Three in Five Support Vaccine Mandates
By a 6-point margin, independents support vaccine mandates, as do more than a third of Republicans.
![](https://navigatorresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-05-at-4.25.47-PM-640x295.png)
Vaccine Requirements Most Popular in Hospitals and Schools; Mask Mandate in Range of Public Indoor Spaces
At least two in five independents support vaccine requirements in hospitals, schools, the military, planes, and public transit.
![](https://navigatorresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-05-at-4.25.54-PM-640x290.png)
Grounding Coronavirus Vaccine Requirements in America’s History of Requiring Vaccines Is Most Compelling
When pitted against a conservative argument that requiring vaccinations is a violation of personal freedom, language that mentions historical vaccine requirements such as for smallpox and polio is more effective than language about vaccine efficacy, even though both are effective.
![](https://navigatorresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-05-at-4.26.00-PM-640x250.png)
About The Study
This release features findings from a national online survey of 1,000 registered voters conducted July 29-August 2, 2021. Additional interviews were conducted among 110 Hispanic voters, 105 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 79 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.