In moments of crisis, our country often comes together. After Sept. 11, polls showed 9 in 10 people agreed on issues like Afghanistan. A year and a half ago, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also brought about a modicum of unity in the face of a major threat.

During March 2020, most Republicans and Democrats supported lockdowns. Trust in public health officials was broad-based and bipartisan, with Pew finding around 8 in 10 people holding a favorable view of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.