Despite confusion in Washington over masks to fight the coronavirus, there is rising support among most people that they be worn in public.
And surprisingly, Democrats and Republicans generally agree on masks.
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In a new survey provided to Secrets by the visual branding firm Signs.com, 83.1% overall said masks should always be worn when in public.
Among Democrats, 88% agreed, and 82% of Republicans also responded, “Yes, always.” But independents, for some reason, trailed in their support at 72%.
“Our findings indicate that the vast majority of Americans recognize the value of masks in public spaces, whatever their political allegiances,” said the survey analysis. It added that the jump in support among Republicans follows calls by top GOP leaders to put a mask on.
“Republicans also supported this position, reflecting party leaders’ recent embrace of masks as a crucial public safety measure,” said the survey titled American Mask Mandates.
Both parties agreed that the national government, and the president specifically, should make mask policy.
“A majority of respondents, including 78% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans, felt that decisions related to masks should be made at the federal level. This view stands in contrast to the Trump administration’s approach, which has deferred to states and localities on the matter of mask requirements,” said the survey.
It also found a hardening on the issue, with a majority calling for a big fine of $225 for those caught violating mandatory mask rules. And 3 in 10 said that they have confronted those not wearing masks in public.
Said the Signs.com conclusion, “Though our findings reveal many differences of opinion, they also demonstrate significant consensus about the potential of masks to protect the public health. Indeed, our respondents’ views diverged about the practical details of requiring masks in public and not the basic premise that they can slow the virus’s spread. Perhaps this pattern provides reason for hope: With the exception of a small portion of dissenters, we are debating the proper way to achieve a shared priority.”
