Most in state uncomfortable with dining out

Poll shows 61% wishes federal government would help more in COVID-19 response

With restrictions lifted on some nonessential businesses in California and partial restaurant reopenings possibly on the horizon, a majority of Californians still aren’t comfortable going out to eat, according to a new survey.

Only 35% of respondents to an Emerson College/Nexstar Media poll, conducted May 8-10, said they would be comfortable dining out “with some spacing precautions,” while even fewer — 26% — said they were comfortable visiting the gym. The outdoors, however, remains a respite from home for many: 55% said they were comfortable visiting a beach or a park.

Despite their reluctance to resume normal life, most respondents laid blame on the federal government’s response — not Gov. Gavin Newsom. Newsom has a 65% approval rating, according to the poll, while 61% wish the federal government would do more to help.

Newsom, a Democrat, has a higher approval rating than his Republican counterpart in Texas, Greg Abbott, whom 54% Texans approve of, but lower than Mike DeWine, the Republican governor of Ohio, who polled at 71% among Ohioans.

On Monday, DeWine said that “90% of Ohio’s economy will be back open” by the end of the week.

In California, Newsom loosened restrictions on some nonessential businesses, but many remain shuttered, including dinein restaurants and gyms. California neared 70,000 total cases Monday and has an infection rate of about 176 per 100,000 residents, compared with 212 in Ohio and 141 in Texas.

Emerson College and Nexstar Media polled about 800 residents in each of the three states, with a margin of error of 3.4%. Across the board, Californians are more hesitant to reopen than respondents in Ohio and Texas, with results largely split down partisan lines.

A majority of Ohioans — 51% — are ready to dine out again, and nearly half — 43% — are fine going to the gym, compared with 40% and 32% in Texas, respectively.

When it comes to work, a majority of the state is waiting for more precautions to be taken before returning to the workplace — or say they fear returning to their jobs at all. There is a chunk — 27% — who say they are willing to work under “any circumstances.”

For a fifth of Californians, masks is what it will take to return to work. One tenth say testing must be widely available first, while one sixth said they feared returning to work at all.

The virus has directly affected the lives of Californians more via its economic toll more than its medical one.

One third of the state said someone in their household has lost their job because of COVID-19, while 16% said they know someone who has been infected.

The poll also asked about the November elections, when President Donald Trump will be on the ballot against the presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden. There was a 30-point margin between the two candidates in California, with Biden ahead of Trump, 59% to 29%.

Respondents were split on whom they favored as Biden’s potential running mate. Homestate Sen. Kamala Harris garnered the most support — 25% — with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren one point behind.

Newsom announced last week plans for every Californian to have the option to vote by mail due to the pandemic. Voters strongly approve, 76% to 24%.