Who will get haircut or go out to eat soon? Your politics make a difference, study says
Most people in the United States say the coronavirus pandemic is upending their summer plans even as states move to get back to some sort of normalcy, according to a new survey.
The study found that vacation plans for the next three months have been turned upside down, and most people say they won’t be flying or getting hotel rooms this summer, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
But an increasing number of people, especially Republicans, say they plan to get a haircut or go out to eat.
The poll comes as all 50 states in the U.S. are starting to reopen from coronavirus lockdowns in some fashion, according to The New York Times.
For summer plans, 32% said it was likely they would stay in a hotel, 23% said they would go on an airplane, and 19% said it was likely they would go to a sporting event or a concert
More Americans said they expect to get back to more daily activities, though there was a partisan divide in how people responded to the survey.
“Majorities including most Republicans and independents, expect to be getting back to some usual activities in the coming months such as going to the doctor, going to a barber or salon, attending larger gatherings, or eating in a restaurant,” according to the foundation.
“Most Democrats say it is unlikely they will be doing any of these activities except for going to a doctor or health care provider,” the foundation said.
Wide majorities of all three main political groups — Republicans, Democrats and independents — say they expect to go to the doctor, dentist or another in-person medical visit within the next three months.
Visions of what the future holds during the coronavirus pandemic are also split by politics. Half of the adults in the United States say “the worst is yet to come” with the COVID-19 pandemic, but 28% of all respondents say “the worst is behind us.”
“This month finds two-thirds of Republicans saying either ‘the worst is behind us’ (45%) or that they don’t think the coronavirus is or was a major problem in the U.S. (20%). On the other hand, most Democrats (70%) and half of independents say ‘the worst is yet to come,’” according to the foundation.
The poll also found that face masks have become a partisan issue. Fifty-two percent of all respondents said they wear a face mask “every time” they leave their house or apartment. However, 70% of Democrats said the same while just 37% of Republicans agreed. Independents find themselves in the middle, with 49% saying they always wear a face mask when out in public.
This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 3:32 PM with the headline "Who will get haircut or go out to eat soon? Your politics make a difference, study says."
