Several countries in Europe – including England, France, and Germany – have instituted temporary national lockdowns for their citizens in hopes of combating the rise in COVID-19 cases. Cases are also on the rise in the US, which begs the question: should there be more lockdowns here as well?
Data from a YouGov poll of nearly 13,000 US adults finds that almost two thirds (64%) of Americans would support their state instituting a one-month lockdown in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus. About three in 10 (29%) are opposed.
Unsurprisingly, there are some partisan splits on this question. The vast majority (87%) of Democrats say they would support a one-month statewide lockdown, as do 58% of Independents. Far fewer (30%) Republicans agree. About two-thirds (64%) of Republicans would oppose such a measure.
By 67% to 59%, women are more likely than men to say they would support a temporary lockdown.
Some of the opposition to a temporary statewide lockdown may arise from the belief that an action like this would be unconstitutional.
Around a quarter (27%) of Americans think a one-month state lockdown should be considered a violation of constitutional rights. However, most (60%) Americans don’t feel this way.
As ever, Republicans and Democrats don’t see eye-to-eye. A majority (58%) of Republicans think a temporary state lockdown should be considered a violation of constitutional rights. Just 9% of Democrats agree. By 56% to 30%, Independents don’t believe a lockdown is unconstitutional.
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Methodology: 12,764 US adults were asked “Would you support or oppose your state instituting a 1-month lockdown (meaning only essential businesses would be allowed to be open) to limit the spread of the coronavirus?” and “Do you believe that a 1-month state lockdown due to COVID-19 should or should not be considered a violation of constitutional rights?” Interviews were conducted online October 29 – 30, 2020. Results have been weighted to be representative of the US population.
Image: Getty
