Patch Coronavirus Survey: Trump In Disfavor, Job Losses Hit Hard

HARTFORD — Connecticut residents aren't pleased with the way the federal government has responded to the coronavirus crisis, and they are particularly critical of President Trump's performance, according to an informal survey Patch conducted Friday.

About half of the survey's more than 5,100 respondents said they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the federal response to the pandemic, compared to 39 percent who called themselves satisfied or very satisfied.

About 45 percent of respondents said they are very dissatisfied with President Trump's performance during the crisis, nearly twice the percentage —24 percent — who said they are very satisfied. Negative responses outweighed positive responses, 56 percent to 37 percent.

Respondents were much more positive about the state's response to the crisis — 75 percent expressed positive views —and 73 percent said they are satisfied or very satisfied with Gov. Ned Lamont's performance.

The survey, which appeared in questionnaire form on Patch earlier Friday, is meant not to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

The survey included questions about how Connecticut residents have fared in the economic downturn resulting from the pandemic, and that picture is a dark one.

Fifteen percent of respondents said they had been laid off, furloughed or dismissed in as a result of the pandemic, and another 17 percent said they had lost significant working hours. Twenty-nine percent said a family member had lost a job, and 24 percent said a family member had had their work hours cut significantly.

Finally, the survey asked how residents characterize their compliance and their neighbors' compliance with the state's stay-at-home order and with social distancing guidelines.

Respondents gave themselves high marks for their own compliance, with 82 percent saying they almost always comply with the stay-at-home order and 92 percent saying they almost always comply with social distancing guidelines when they have to leave home.

But only 25 percent of respondents think others in the community almost always keep a safe distance away in public settings. Forty percent said others often observe the rules, and 30 percent said others sometimes do.

See also: CT Opens First Rapid Coronavirus Testing Center

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