Pandemic Pessimism Declines as Plurality Say “The Worst Is Over”
Thursday, October 14, 2021Biden and Democrats hold double-digit advantages in trust over Republicans on combating the pandemic and ensuring people get vaccinated.
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Biden and Democrats hold double-digit advantages in trust over Republicans on combating the pandemic and ensuring people get vaccinated.
While pessimism about the pandemic has declined for the past month, focus groups with mothers and educators reveal deep, continued anxiety.
While anxieties about the pandemic remain high amidst the summer surge, worries declined on President Biden’s vaccine mandates announcement.
Many Americans are hearing negative news about Biden’s handling of Afghanistan, but he retains positive ratings on handling the pandemic.
Americans support local leaders pushing to require masks in schools amidst concerns about the Delta variant and the still high numbers of unvaccinated adults.
Two in three Americans support re-introduction of mask and social distancing mandates as cases surge, and nearly 60 percent support vaccine mandates.
Rising case counts and the spread of the Delta variant are driving an increase in the share of Americans who believe “the worst is yet to come” regarding the pandemic.
While Biden still earns high marks on the pandemic, pessimism about coronavirus is on the rise due to the Delta variant.
President Biden and Democrats are more trusted than Republicans to address the pandemic, improve infrastructure, and rebuild the economy.
President Biden and Democrats are more trusted than Republicans to address the pandemic, improve infrastructure, and rebuild the economy.
Focus groups with soft partisans reveal optimism on economy and the pandemic, but concerns about deep political and societal divides.
Majorities of Americans approve of Biden’s job handling and agenda, including his pandemic response, the American Rescue Plan, and the American Jobs Plan.
Three in four Americans now believe “the worst is over” with regard to the pandemic as an increasing share of the country sees America returning to normal by the end of the year.
Nearly seven in ten – including a plurality of Republicans – say Biden has had a positive impact on the state of the pandemic.
Approval of the vaccine rollout has improved by 33 points since February as two-thirds of Americans see Biden’s pandemic policies as having a “positive impact.”