Poll: Virus is partisan, too

Just about every issue in America today seems drawn along partisan political lines. In Oklahoma the coronavirus is no exception, as a new Sooner Survey shows.

The survey of 500 registered voters, conducted May 4-7 by Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates, shows 69% of Oklahomans support loosening restrictions on business activity so people can get back to work. A whopping 83% of Republicans favor doing so, while 41% of Democrats support additional mandates and 51% are OK with loosening things up.

Oklahomans are concerned about the potential health risks associated with reopening the economy, but the survey shows they're more concerned about getting the economy going. The greatest divide is along partisan lines — 65% of Republicans say economic disruption is a greater issue than is the health risk to the community, while 62% of Democrats say the health risk is the greater concern.

Of those surveyed, 37% said they would be comfortable eating at a restaurant in the next two weeks, 36% said the same about attending a religious service and 29% said they would feel comfortable at a shopping mall by that time. More than half of Republicans said they believe larger gatherings would be safe by the end of the month; 11% of Democrats said the same.

Changes are possible as the situation unfolds, but “it certainly looks as if the coronavirus has … taken on a partisan identity,” CHS President Pat McFerron said. “In Oklahoma, this means support for opening businesses and allowing individuals to make their own decisions.”

CARES Act advisory group a good idea

Legislators will have a say in how Oklahoma uses $1.2 billion in federal CARES Act emergency funds. Gov. Kevin Stitt created a legislative advisory group to work with him. Lawmakers had criticized Stitt for not including them in talks about how the funds are spent. “I've said that Oklahoma is better when we work together, and I am excited to have their input on how we can use these federal funds to serve and enhance the lives of all 4 million Oklahomans,” Stitt said. The advisory group comprises 12 House members and 11 senators. CARES Act funds may be used only to reimburse COVID-19-related health emergency costs incurred between March 1 and Dec. 30. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said the Legislature can still act as it deems necessary, apart from the advisory group, to track how federal dollars are used. However, “it's encouraging to see the governor acknowledge” lawmakers call for more transparency. He's right. This is a good move by Stitt.

Collaboration on virtual charter school bill

The Legislature approved a bill this week dealing with virtual charter schools. It requires that students of virtual charters complete 72 instructional activities (i.e. meetings with a teacher, school-sanctioned class trips, completed assignments that factor into the student's grade) per quarter, up from 40. The bill includes rules regarding truancy and transfers, and requires that any new enrollees go through an orientation before completing any school work. Current virtual charter students will also need to complete an orientation before continuing their instruction. The bill won unanimous support in the state Senate. Epic Charter Schools, the state's largest virtual school system and a frequent target of lawmakers, was among those collaborating on the bill. That's encouraging.

Patrons scratching that itch to gamble

The phased-in reopenings of many restaurants and other businesses in Oklahoma produced a gradual return of patrons. Not so with the Thunderbird Casino in Norman. On the contrary, the line of people to get in for Monday's soft reopening stretched nearly 250 long. Casino staff wore masks, and the casino had them available for visitors. Players' temperatures were taken and the casino mandated that players practice social distancing. “It just seemed like the right time to do it,” said general manager Sam Caruso. Not all casino operators agree — only a handful of the roughly 130 tribal casinos in the state opened early in the week. “Now is not the time to end social distancing,” said the principal chief of the Sac and Fox Nation. When that time comes, it's a safe bet that drawing a crowd won't be a problem.