Gov. Murphy Graded On Pandemic Performance [Patch Survey Results]

NEW JERSEY — It has been more than a year since stay-at-home orders were issued in the Garden State as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, Patch polled readers on how they think New Jersey has fared during the pandemic. We asked how they feel Gov. Phil Murphy has managed the crisis and about their own comfort level when it comes to resuming "normal" activities.

Nearly 2,600 readers responded.

Here's a look at what they said:

(Editor's note: The was not meant to be a scientific poll, but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.)

First, we asked how respondents would grade Gov. Murphy's response to the coronavirus pandemic. More than 27 percent gave him an "F" for his coronavirus response.

But the vast majority of respondents gave him a passing grade. More than 21 percent gave him an "A" and more than 20 percent gave him a "B."

Early on in the pandemic, New Jersey residents expressed anxiety about resuming normal activities, but more than 365 days in — and with a vaccine rollout happening across the state — that's not the case anymore.

We asked: How comfortable are you resuming previous activities this spring?

The majority of readers seemed eager to enjoy activities and dining at local bars and restaurants. More than 36 percent of readers described themselves as "extremely" comfortable resuming activities this spring, and more than 48 percent said they are comfortable doing so as long as people are masked up and socially distancing. Only 14 percent said they are uncomfortable doing typical spring activities.

When it comes to dining and enjoying drinks at local bars, over 44 percent of those who responded said they feel safe dining indoors and nearly 32 percent said they felt safe dining outdoors.

An overwhelming number of people who have worked from home since last March — more than 50 percent — said they are comfortable going back in person once vaccinated.

And speaking of vaccinations, we asked about that.

Nearly 39 percent reported being fully vaccinated, with another 22 percent saying they've received the first shot. More than 20 percent are waiting for an appointment, and 15 percent said they do not plan to get vaccinated.

When asked about the state's biggest successes and missteps, readers vented much frustration about the closing of schools and restaurants. Several others lamented about the vaccine rollout in the state.

Here's a sampling of responses on what was the biggest misstep or biggest success in the past year, with some positives mixed in with a lot of negative outcomes:

• Too much authoritarian power by the governor.
• Lockdowns & Stay at home orders are unconstitutional, though people should have been doing the right thing on their own accord.
• Opening indoor dining too soon
• Governor Murphy shutting down small businesses, killing many of them for good.
• Rushing to reopen schools, pushing for indoor dining again REDUCING SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES?!
• Concerned that we're opening up to quickly
• Handling of vaccine distribution AND reopening too quickly
• I think when cases started to go up drastically again, things needed to close again rather than continue the reopening process. I don’t think I have yet to see successful or safe indoor dining and I feel that is something that should have never resumed.
• Vaccinating teachers should have been a priority.
• Difficult process to schedule vaccinations. I realize the supply is limited, but everyone has spent so much time trying to book.
• The biggest misstep has been the procedure(s) for obtaining a vaccine appointment! The roll-out has been horrible! I also feel that the new regulations regarding restaurants. salons etc. are premature in light of the positivity rate in NJ, and new virus variants.
• I think Governor Murphy has done a great job during the pandemic. Yes, there were serious mistakes with the nursing home deaths early on, but no one knew then what we know now.
• School situation not good. Can't understand how bars, restaurants, gyms, etc. can reopen with limitations but schools are still left without definitive guidelines.
• I think Governor Murphy did a great job with his response to the coronavirus and keeping us safe in NJ.
• Not enough people have empathy for others.
• Biggest success was the general consistency of planning and messaging. Missteps were confusion over school policy, but there were no easy solutions to that especially early on.
• The state acted quickly last year and shut down the state even as people balked and defied them. They put the resident's health first. The restrictions, even today are necessary.
• Not putting a mandate on all wearing masks in public. If not wearing one some type of fine should have been imposed.
• I'm happy the way things are going.
• Gov Murphy has managed the COVID-19 pandemic effectively and looked out for the safety of the people while also exercising flexibility in policy appropriately.

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