By Sarah Kocher // SWNS
NEWS COPY w/ VIDEO & INFOGRAPHIC
Three-quarters of Americans agree that the COVID-19 pandemic is a sign that the U.S. should adopt a universal health care system, according to a new survey.
The survey of 2,000 Americans, which was conducted by OnePoll, asked about their opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic and how well they believe the U.S. government has handled the crisis.
Respondents were also asked about their political affiliations, and 74% of self-identified Republicans agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic is a sign that the United States should move to a universal health care system – with 84% of self-identified Democrats also in agreement.
Perhaps a sign of these changing beliefs, is that 76% of those surveyed were also in agreement that anyone who contracts COVID-19 should not be charged for their medical expenses.
And a further 81% of those polled agreed that insurance companies should be required to cover all medical expenses for those who contract COVID-19.
This may be explained by the fact that 65% of respondents said they were worried about how they would pay for their medical expenses should they contract the novel coronavirus.
Eighty-two percent of respondents agreed that a one-time stimulus check of $1,200 is not enough to provide assistance and the government should be providing a stimulus check monthly until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
In terms of the unfolding unemployment crisis, 79% of those polled were also in agreement that the federal government should be doing more to protect people who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed said the federal government should provide more financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regarding mortgage and rent payments – 55% of respondents said they should be frozen during this time.
Sixty-three percent of respondents also said that the U.S. government should require private student loan companies to freeze interest rates and payments.
Overall, however, 64% of those polled believe that the U.S. government has handled the COVID-19 pandemic well – with 33% reporting the government has handled the crisis “very well.”
Despite the fact that 62% of respondents believe President Trump, specifically, has handled the COVID-19 pandemic well – 31% of those surveyed also said he was unprepared when the crisis first started.
Seventy-two percent of those polled said they believed downsizing the global health security and biodefense section of the National Security Council in 2018 was a mistake on the part of the President.
When asked which locality they believe has handled the COVID-19 pandemic the best, 36% of respondents said their state governments come out on top, compared to only 26% of respondents who believe the federal government has handled the COVID-19 pandemic the best.
Top 3 Things the U.S. should do during COVID-19
- Require private student loan companies to freeze interest rates and payments - 63%
- Provide more financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic - 58%
- Freeze all rent/mortgage payments - 55%
Best responses to the COVID-19 pandemic according to respondents
- State governments - 36%
- Federal government - 26%
- Local/city governments - 21%
