Virginians are split on the issue of whether there should be more or less restrictions on public activity in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. That’s according to a new poll out Tuesday from Christopher Newport University.
54% of those polled say the country as a whole is moving too quickly to lower COVID-19 restrictions, but when asked specifically about Virginia 47%, say things are just right.
“The rest are split. 29% want fewer restrictions, 24% want more restrictions,” Rebecca Bromley-Trujillo is Research Director at Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center. “I would generally say that they’re quite a bit happier though about how their state is doing than how the country as a whole is moving.”
Those surveyed were also asked about virtual schooling. Nearly half support some kind of hybrid model between in person and online learning, just under a quarter think K-12 should be fully in-person again.
Researchers polled about 800 registered voters in Virginia throughout two weeks in September.
They also asked how Virginians feel about certain police reforms. Results showed nearly universal support among those surveyed for reforms including de-escalation training, requiring the use of body cameras, and requiring police intervene if they see a colleague using unlawful force.
“We also see pretty high support, like in the 70% range, for requiring public reports when police use force, building a public database of police misconduct, and creating civilian oversight boards,” said Bromley-Trujillo.
And while a slight majority do support ending qualified immunity and banning chokeholds, voters who were polled were a lot more split on those two reforms.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
