New Survey Shows Only 24% of Connecticut Residents Want Quick Reopening of State Businesses
5/20/20
CONTACT: Tremont Public Advisors, 860-986-7737
Hartford –A survey released today by the public affairs firm Tremont Public Advisors shows most Connecticut residents support the continuation of Connecticut’s “stay at home policy”, or are unsure about what next steps state leaders should take to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as the number of newly unemployed rises to 500,000 as a result of the pandemic, 43% of Connecticut residents support the state’s policy which has kept Connecticut residents homebound and closed hundreds of businesses and schools. An additional 33% of residents are unsure about what next steps the state should take.
The on-line survey of 704 Connecticut residents conducted between 5/18-5/20/20 asked respondents what they thought state leaders should do next in light of the hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents filing new unemployment claims and a death toll exceeding 3,408. A plurality of residents supported maintaining Governor Lamont’s “Stay Safe, Stay Home” policy for now. 24% of respondents supported lifting the policy and opening up all businesses immediately. 33% of residents were unsure what next steps state leaders should take. These results show a 19% drop in support for the “stay at home policy” from Tremont’s 4/27 polling release and a 16% drop in support from the Q-poll’s 5/6 release.[1][2]
“As the state moves forward with “reopening” most businesses Connecticut residents have considerable reservations about the approach. There is no question that support for the “stay at home policy has declined, but those agitating for immediate reopening of all businesses remain a small percentage of the population. Governor Lamont has received high marks from most residents for his handling the COVID-19 crisis in Connecticut, providing a calm and empathetic demeanor in clear contrast to President Trump. However, his administration is entering a tricky period of time where state policy is moving ahead of where most residents are.” stated Matt Hennessy, Managing Director of Tremont Public Advisors. “If in a few weeks residents feel that they can access testing when needed, PPE is easily obtained, deaths have significantly declined and local health districts are aggressively contact tracing, it is likely support for the state’s reopening plan will grow.”
The survey also collected a number of comments from respondents who didn’t select one of the three main survey responses. The following is a sample of the comments submitted verbatim:
“Begin partial openings of businesses. Monitor the virus.” – West Hartford, CT
“Monitor what has worked in other states. Track any rises in cases and have a quick lockdown policy if cases ramp up again”
“Open some business back im one of the people out of work since March 12 with no unemployment and i use all my saving up” -Hartford, CT
“Open up businesses, continue social distancing in the work place, continue working at home when possible, and see what the case numbers look like after taking those precautions. If the numbers show improvement, go to a phase 2 plan”
“One step at a time” – Bristol, CT
“protect the most vulnerable” - Southington, CT
“Provide PPE and get as many back to work as possible. Do not open schools yet.” – Wallingford, CT
Of those supporting the “stay at home policy”, women represented the majority of the supporters with the largest age group being the 25-34 age cohort.
Of those supporting an immediate opening of businesses and lifting of the “stay at home policy”, men constituted the largest group of supporters with the largest age group being the 55-64 cohort.
Survey Results
(Responses of Connecticut residents)
Q1: If you were told that in Connecticut, COVID-19 has left 500,000 workers unemployed and at least 3,408 dead. What do You think state leaders should do next??
Keep the stay at home policy for now. 43%
Stop the stay at home policy and open all stores 24%
Don't know 30%
Other 3%
About Tremont Public Advisors, LLC: Tremont Public Advisors is a leading Public Affairs firm in Washington D.C. and Hartford, Connecticut. You can learn more about our polling here: (https://www.tremontpublicadvisors.net/news/2018/11/7/how-accurate-were-the-final-polls-in-the-race-for-ct-governor)
About Matthew Hennessy, Managing Director of Tremont Public Advisors: Recognized as one of the top political consultants in the United States by Campaigns and Elections Magazine, Matt has served as an adviser to multiple campaigns for federal, state and local office, as well as a range of high-profile corporations and organizations.
Methodology
Between 4/18/20 and 4/20/20 Tremont Public Advisors conducted a survey of 704 Connecticut residents over age 18 using an on-line survey platform. Respondents were allowed to take the survey only once and were restricted from choosing more than one answer. The answer choices were shown in a random order. The poll population consisted of Connecticut internet users viewing content on a network of web publisher sites on both mobile and desktop devices. The survey answers have a MMOE of no more than +/- 3.6%.
Gender, age and location of the survey respondents were inferred by data correlated to the I.P. address of the respondent. The survey used statistical weighting procedures to account for deviations in the survey sample from known population characteristics, which helps correct for differential survey participation and random variation in samples. The overall adult sample is weighted based on U.S. Census data using a procedure to match the demographic makeup of the target population of Connecticut internet users by gender, age and geography.
The survey was designed and paid for by Tremont Public Advisors, LLC.
[1] https://poll.qu.edu/search-releases/search-results/release-detail?ReleaseID=3660&What=&strArea=1;1;&strTime=3
[2] The Q-poll asked slightly different questions and used a different survey methodology.
Support for Connecticut “Stay At Home Order” Through 5/20/20