Most Americans favor controlling coronavirus over restarting economy: poll

A majority of Americans believe controlling the spread of the coronavirus is more important than trying to restart the nation’s ailing economy, a new poll has found.

The poll, conducted late last month by the Washington Post and ABC News, found that 57 percent of those surveyed think curbing the coronavirus pandemic is most important right now — even if it’s detrimental to the US economy.

Thirty-seven percent of respondents felt the opposite, saying they believe giving a jolt to the nation’s reeling economy is more vital at the moment, the poll found.

The divide was even starker along political lines, as 81 percent of Democrats said they thought controlling the virus’ spread was of greater importance, compared to 59 percent of independents and just 27 percent of Republicans.

Given the choice between the two, restarting the economy was the top concern for 66 percent of Republicans, followed by 35 percent of independents and 14 percent of Democrats, poll data shows.

Other key findings include 42 percent of people who said they know someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 — up from 11 percent in late March — and 68 percent who said they’re worried about a possible second wave of infections this fall.

Fifty-eight percent of those polled also said they believe it’s too early to return to stores, restaurants and other public places, while 40 percent said they’re ready to head back.

The poll of 1,001 US adults was conducted by phone from May 25 to 28 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.