Many North Texans support mask restrictions during coronavirus, new poll shows
As coronavirus cases continue to rise, a new poll shows that more than six of 10 North Texans believe wearing face masks — and social distancing — should be required until a vaccine is developed and widely available.
This comes as Texas is in the national spotlight, continually reporting single-day highs of COVID-19 cases and all-time highs of patients hospitalized because of the virus.
“COVID-19 is now spreading at an unacceptable rate in Texas and it must be corralled,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said this week.
The governor has urged people to stay at home, but has declined to put in place mask requirements or new stay-at-home orders. He did say local officials could put mask requirements in place for businesses but not individuals.
Tarrant officials say they don’t plan on doing that — for now.
“Everywhere I talk with folks, I encourage them to wear a mask,” Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said this week, when asked whether mask requirements were needed. “I don’t know if it’s the Texan in us or what, we just don’t like to be told what to do. I think we like to be convinced that it’s in the best interest of the public.”
Whitley said people certainly have a right not to wear a mask.
But, he added, “that doesn’t make it right.”
The poll, commissioned by Texas 2036, a nonprofit group working to develop strategies to help Texas through the state’s bicentennial, surveyed 1,000 adults in 13 North Texas counties — including Tarrant County — between May 27 and June 9.
Through the poll, residents indicated support for mask requirements and social distancing and said COVID-19 has significantly affected employment in North Texas.
“The biggest takeaway is how do we break the partisan divisiveness and find common solutions,” Tom Luce, founder and chairman of Texas 2036, said in a statement. “This poll demonstrates that there are some common messages that cut across (society), whether you’ve got health concerns or economic concerns.
“People have legitimate health concerns and legitimate economic concerns — and the messaging about the reason to wear a mask was very powerful.”
Coronavirus cases
Tarrant County reported 9,846 total cases Wednesday, which includes 215 deaths. Texas reported a single day-high of coronavirus cases Tuesday and set a record in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients for the 12th straight day.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 5,489 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and 4,092 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Tuesday’s hospitalizations were a jump of 381 patients from the previous record of 3,711 hospitalized Monday.
Poll results
Other poll results include:
▪ A majority, 62%, are very concerned about people who gather in large groups without wearing masks or social distancing. The same percentage of people polled say they would be more likely to go out in public if people are required to wear face masks and practice social distancing until an effective vaccine is available. And 84% say wearing a mask shows respect for first responders and health care professionals.
▪ Many believe the pandemic will get worse: 45% said the worst is yet to come locally; 37% said the worst is behind us. When asked about the impact across the country, 33% said the worst is behind us and 50% said the worst is yet to come. When broken down by political party affiliation, Republicans were most likely to say the worst is behind us and Democrats were most likely to say the worst is yet to come.
▪ At the same time, 65% believe stay-at-home orders and business restrictions were lifted too quickly.
▪ And 41% of those surveyed said they know someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.
The survey was conducted by phone interviews of residents in Tarrant, Wise, Denton, Collin Hunt, Parker, Dallas, Rockwall, Kaufman, Hood, Johnson, Ellis and Somervell counties. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Many North Texans support mask restrictions during coronavirus, new poll shows."
