Gov. Lamont Coronavirus Approval Rating Among Highest In U.S.

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut residents rated Gov. Ned Lamont’s response to the coronavirus pandemic among the best in the country for a governor, according to the results of a new survey conducted by four major universities.

Lamont’s approval of his handling of the coronavirus has been fairly steady since the pandemic began, according to the survey. It was last measured at 65 percent in late August with a 6 percent margin of error. Lamont’s August approval is the fourth-highest in the country behind Vermont, Maryland and Massachusetts governors.

On the other hand, Connecticut residents don’t have much confidence in how President Donald Trump has handled the coronavirus pandemic. His best ranking was in late April at 34 percent approval and his worst was 22 percent in late July. In late August it was 30 percent. Nationally his approval rating in late August was 34 percent.

The survey consisted of more than 21,000 respondents across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It was conducted by Northeaster, Rutgers, Harvard and Northwestern universities.

At the bottom of the August list are the governors of Iowa (26 percent), Florida (29 percent), Arizona (30 percent) and Hawaii (31 percent).

Nationally respondents have been losing confidence in how their governor handled the pandemic. Approval ratings started around 64 percent in late April, but had dropped to 48 percent in late August.

Connecticut was among one of the first states in the nation to be hammered by the coronavirus. Lamont declared a public health emergency in March and subsequently shut down schools, indoor dining at restaurants and some other sectors of the economy. The state experienced its peak of coronavirus activity in April.

The state began its first reopening phase in May and then its second in June, however, Lamont halted the third reopening phase indefinitely. The third reopening phase would’ve included the reopening of bars and larger entertainment venues. Lamont made the decision after several southern states experienced outbreaks related to the reopening of bars.

His administration has urged robust testing, especially for at-risk populations in congregate settings like nursing homes and prisons. Lamont is ignoring recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines that call for less testing.

Lamont allowed school districts to open either full in-person, hybrid or fully remote. Parents also have the option to have their children attend fully remote in any case.

Connecticut for months has had one of the lowest per capita coronavirus cases in the nation. Currently it ranks as the fourth lowest in the past seven days, according to the New York Times.