An overwhelming number of Virginians follow masking protocols and a majority plans to receive a coronavirus vaccine once one becomes available, according to a recent statewide poll of 800 registered voters conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy.
The poll found that 88% of respondents are taking the pandemic serioously – 77% said they take COVID-19 “very seriously.” More than half of those responding – 65% – saidthey know someone who has contracted the virus, and a third said they know someone who was seriously ill or died from the virus.
In relation to the economic havoc wreaked by the pandemic, 64% percent said they know someone who has lost a job due to the coronavirus.
According to the poll, 94% said they practice social distancing – 73% of those said they are “very consistent” about it. Nearly the same number – 89% – said they wear masks in public with 82% reporting that they “always” do so and 14% saying they do “most of the time.”
Those who don’t wear masks cite various reasons, chief among them is not wearing one outdoors – 42%. Another 27% expressed skepticism as to whether masks are helpful. An equal number, 12% each, didn’t observe masking protocols for personal freedom reasons and for the discomfort of the masks. A minority of 6% cited a medical condition preventing them from wearing a mask.
More than 70% of resondents said they plan to get a flu shot thise season, up from the 65% who received a vaccination last season. Nearly a third of people said with COVID-19 present alonside the flu makes them more likely to get a shot.
More than a third said they are “very likely” to get vaccinated for COVID-19 once one is available. Another 17% said they are “somewhat likely” to get a vaccine. The results were pretty evenly split, with 17% saying they are somewhat unlikely to get the vaccine and 26% saying they are “very unlikely” to.
Those showing a reluctance to the vaccine worried about being month the first to get it (38%), a belief that the virus isn’t that dangerous (22%), a lack of trust in the government and/or the scientific communiy (20%) and doubts that it would be effective (12%).
If poll respondents have their way, the government would reimburse hospitals for expenses incurred during the pandemic, with 66% backing the plan. Even more – 81% – said they would support relief fund for health care providers.
Those questions were particularly timely as leaders in Washington, D.C., debate another economic stimulus package and legislators at the Virginia General Assembly finalizes a budget amendment package that includes allocation of the state share of CARES Act funding that must be spent by the Dec. 31 deadline.
Nearly 40% of those responding said they had delayed health care needs during the pandemic, possibly not of their own choices, though, as Virginia hospitals in March suspended non-emergency surgical procedures to free up bed space for a potential surge in COVID hospitalizations.
According to theVirginia Hospital & Healthcare Alliance, the halt of non-emergency procedures, coupled with lower patient volumes and expenses responding to the virus have Virginia hospitals on pace to lose billions of dollars this year. Estimates say that hospitals could lose $3 billion this year alone, money that can be hung on the pandemic.
Though they may be struggling more financially, hospitals enjoy love from residents of the state with 92 viewing hospitals favorably. In fact, 84% feel safe returning to a hospital or doctor’s office.
While hospitals might have a favorable outlook from Virginians, insurance companies weren’t so lucky. Two thirds of respondents said it is unfair for insurance companies to rake in record profits during the pandemic while the rest of the economy suffers. A majority – 56% – view health insurance companies unfavorably.
