VA Coronavirus Survey: Trump Condemned, Job Losses Pinch Families

VIRGINIA — A solid majority of Virginia residents disapprove of the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, and an even greater majority disapprove of President Donald Trump's performance during the crisis, according to an informal reader survey Patch conducted Friday.

About 60 percent of the survey's nearly 1,900 respondents said they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the federal response, compared with 31 percent who say they are either satisfied or very satisfied.

Almost 67 percent of respondents said they are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the president's performance, compared with 28 percent saying they are satisfied or very satisfied. Among those expressing the strongest views, those describing themselves as very dissatisfied outnumbered the very satisfied by a 3-1 ratio.

Respondents thought better of the state government's response to the crisis, with 66 percent expressing positive views about its performance. A slightly lower share — 64 percent — expressed positive views about Gov. Ralph Northam’s performance.

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

The Patch survey included questions about how Virginia residents have fared in the economic downturn resulting from the pandemic, and for many the picture is grim.

About 10 percent of respondents said they had been laid off, furloughed or dismissed as a result of the pandemic, and another 14 percent said they had lost significant working hours. Almost 21 percent said a family member had lost a job, and another 22 percent said a family member had lost significant working hours.

Finally, the survey asked how well respondents are complying with stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines.

Some 80 percent of respondents say they almost always comply with the stay-at-home order, and 90 percent said they almost always practice social distancing when they must leave their homes.

But respondents don't think their neighbors are doing nearly so well at following the rules. Only 25 percent said others in the community almost always comply, while 39 percent said those others often do and 31 percent said only sometimes.

Results for each of the survey's nine questions appear below.

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