UW survey shows majority of Wyomingites support mask ordinances

In a survey conducted, Tuesday, July 14, by University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center, the majority of Wyomingites – 56% – now say they would strongly or somewhat support local ordinances requiring face mask use in indoor public places, while 36% say they strongly or somewhat oppose such measures.

According to a UW press release, the survey is the sixth of multiple surveys WYSAC is conducting to measure public opinion on a number of topics related to COVID-19. A total of 504 Wyoming residents participated in the survey representing all Wyoming counties, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

Asked about a face mask ordinance in their communities requiring use in outdoor public places, 56% opposed, while 36% said they would support.

“We see an increase for all face mask-related topics since we began measuring in these items in March,” Brian Harnisch, senior research scientist in charge of the project at WYSAC said. “Nearly half of all Wyoming residents now say they wear masks when visiting indoor public places, while over half say they would support local ordinances requiring use in indoor public places.”

Comfort levels for attending outdoor events in Wyoming this summer and fall have decreased since June, with 45% of residents saying they would be comfortable attending an outdoor event with up to 250 people — down from 56% in June. When considering outdoor events with more than 250 people, 40% of residents say they would be comfortable attending — down from 52% in June.

People were asked a series of questions regarding factors that might make them more or less likely to attend outdoor events this summer or fall:

— 40% say they would be more likely to attend if face masks were required of all attendees, while 35% said they would be less likely.

— 31% say they would be more likely to attend if there were special “safe zones” or similarly designated areas where face mask use and social distancing were required and enforced; 25% say they would be less likely to attend.

— If face mask use were optional, 23% say they would be more likely to attend, while 40% say they would be less likely to attend.

— If all attendees had a temperature check upon entry, 38% say they would be more likely to attend, while 16% say they would be less likely to attend.

— If hand-sanitizing stations were available throughout the venue, 47% say they would be more likely to attend, while 4% say they would be less likely to attend.

— 42% say they would be more likely to attend an outdoor event if social distancing rules for attendees were enforced everywhere at the event, while 24% say they would be less likely to attend.

— If there were maximum occupancy/attendee numbers enforced to promote social distancing, 44% say they would be more likely to attend, while 17% say they would be less likely to attend.

— If there were no social distancing rules, 15% say they would be more likely to attend, while 53% say they would be less likely to attend an outdoor event this summer or fall.

Since the last survey iteration June 8, there has been an increase in the proportion of people who support policies enacted to limit public gatherings, with 61% saying they support such policies, an increase of 4 percentage points. However, support for the closure of K-12 schools, day care centers, and bars and restaurants continues to decline, as does support for a “shelter-in-place” order.

Specifically:

— 37% said they would support the closure of K-12 schools, a decrease of 16 points since June.

— 34% said they would support the closure of day care centers, a decrease of 13 points since June.

— 40% said they would support the closure of bars and restaurants, a decrease of 4 points since June.

— 27% said they would support a shelter-in-place order, a decrease of 6 points since June.

Concerns related to COVID-19 increased for almost all aspects in this survey iteration, a reversal of the downward trend observed since March:

— 25% say they are very anxious about the spread of COVID-19 in the United States (+13 points since June).

— 17% say they are very anxious about the spread of COVID-19 in Wyoming (+9 points since June).

— 45% think the worst is yet to come in the United States (+19 points since June).

— 42% think the worst is yet to come in Wyoming (+14 points since June).

— Asked if they think COVID-19 is a real threat or blown out of proportion, 53% believe it is a real threat, an increase of 9 points since June.

— 23% of residents now say they are worried someone in their immediate family might catch COVD-19, an increase of 9 points since June.

Approval of the way Gov. Mark Gordon is handling the COVID-19 crisis remains high, with 66% saying they strongly approve or somewhat approve of the way he is handling things. Gordon’s net approval rating (approval minus disapproval) is at plus 35%.

Approval of the way President Donald Trump is handling the COVID-19 decreases significantly, with 49% saying they strongly approve or somewhat approve of the way he is handling things. President Trump’s net approval rating is at plus 2 points, down from plus 17 points in June.

Regarding the way local government and health officials are handling the COVID-19 crisis, 66% say they strongly approve or somewhat approve of the way they are handling things.

Approval of the way Congress is handling the COVID-19 crisis decreased 7 percentage points, with 25% saying they strongly approve or somewhat approve of the way Congress is handling things. The net approval rating for congress is minus 39 percentage points.

To see the survey methodology, chart, figures and complete survey results, go to https://wysac.uwyo.edu/wysac/.