Many Democrats believe that people should show proof of vaccination against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) before being allowed into public indoor spaces. This is according to a new Rasmussen Report poll released on Monday, August 9.
The new poll shows that 44 percent of American adults are in favor of such measures. The number was much higher among Democrats, 65 percent of which said that the requirement should be nationwide, with only 25 percent saying it should not.
Meanwhile, only 29 percent of Republicans and 36 percent of independents want vaccine requirements for indoor public spaces like restaurants, gyms and theaters.
Survey highlights political division in Americans' opinions on the pandemic
The new survey highlights the political division Americans face when it comes to how the virus should be tackled.
For example, most Democrats – 74 percent – believe that even those who're already vaccinated should still wear face masks. Meanwhile, only 32 percent of Republicans agree.
The poll also shows that Democrats generally have a sour view of the nation's handling of the pandemic. Just 28 percent believe that the Biden administration is winning the war against the virus.
Opinions on how to approach the pandemic are also split by race. More blacks – 61 percent – approve of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) mask mandates. This is compared to only 49 percent of whites and 48 percent of other minorities.
Meanwhile, blacks are split down the middle when it comes to whether proof of vaccination should be required for public spaces, with 50 percent for and 50 percent against. Meanwhile, only 43 percent of both whites and other minorities agree with the need for proof of vaccination.
Poll comes as cities implement stricter vaccine measures
The Rasmussen Report conducted the poll from August 4 to 5, two days before New York City became the first place in the U.S. to require people to show proof of vaccination before entering indoor public spaces.
"It is so important to make clear that if you are vaccinated, you get to benefit in all sorts of ways. You get to live a better life," stated New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio when he announced the new rule earlier this August.
"And if you're unvaccinated, there are going to be fewer and fewer things that you're able to do," he added. (Related: New York City now segregating the unvaccinated, ordering restaurants NOT to serve them.)
NYC's move was immediately criticized by Republicans as several red states have been fighting to ban vaccine passports and similar mandates for months now. That said, it's still not as extreme as measures implemented in cities such as Los Angeles and Washington D.C., which have reimposed mask mandates for indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status, though this approach is at least more fair and less divisive.
President Joe Biden's administration has been adamant that there will be no federal-level vaccine passport mandate. That said, the administration has made it clear that it would support local governments and private entities that choose to impose these measures.
Last month, the CDC released new guidance stating that high case-rate areas should reimpose indoor masking even for those who've been vaccinated.
The guidance came as the Delta variant and breakthrough cases among vaccinated people continued to surge.
On Friday, August 6, the White House announced that 50 percent of the entire U.S. population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But despite this, vaccination rates have actually plateaued over the summer. The administration's efforts to encourage people to get vaccinated are meeting resistance from hesitant communities in red states, as well as with minorities and young people.
This then raises the question of whether further mandates, similar to those in New York City, are coming in the future.
For more on vaccine mandates, follow Immunization.news.
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