Polls shows majority back mask mandate
A majority of Oklahoma voters want Gov. Kevin Stitt to impose a statewide mask mandate, according to a new poll that also shows 60% of those surveyed will definitely or probably get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The poll, taken by Amber Integrated, of Oklahoma City, found 52.5% of registered voters favor am ask mandate, though responses varied greatly by party. About 64% of Republicans said they opposed a mask mandate, while 80% of Democrats and 65% of independent voters said St it t should impose a statewide mandate.
Older Oklahomans favored a mandate, while younger ones did not. Whites were the only racial or ethnic group not to show majority support for a mandate. While 57% of women favored a mandate, only 49% of men favored one.
Stitt has declined to impose a statewide mask mandate, t hough numerous municipalities have approved local mandates.
Pollster Jackson L isle, a partner at Amber Integrated, said ,“This is the first survey we have asked about mask mandates. However, Oklahomans have very consistently responded in our surveys this year that they are wearing masks, either most or all of the time without a mandate in place.”
In the latest poll, 55.5% of registered voters said they wear a mask all the time when going out, with another 23% saying most of the time and 12% saying sometimes.
The survey was conducted from December 14-17 and included a pool of 500 registered voters in Oklahoma. The results were weighted based on age, gender, party affiliation and level of education. It has a margin of error of 4.38% at a 95% confidence interval. The poll surveyed both cellphones and landlines and used a combination of live callers and an online panel.
Vaccinations
The number of Oklahoma voters saying they would definitely or probably get a vaccine rose significantly in the latest poll compared to one taken by Amber Integrated in September.
Now, 60.5% of Oklahoma voters say they will definitely or likely get vaccinated, up 14 percentage points from September.
Vaccinations began in Oklahoma on Dec. 14 with health care workers. Nursing home residents and staff members began receiving vaccinations on Tuesday.
Lisle said roughly 38% of voters still say they do not want to take the vaccine.
“It is both concerning and surprising that these numbers have not moved much since a vaccine has been approved by the FDA and the presidential election has passed,” he said. “The increase in support for taking a vaccine between September and December was entirely from those who were unsure or undecided about taking the vaccine three months prior.
“Regardless of party, many individuals who indicate they do not want to take the vaccine cite concerns over side effects. This could potentially be a short-term problem if millions of Americans are being vaccinated each month without major side effects.”
In the latest poll, nearly 55% of Republicans said they would definitely or probably get the vaccination, while 75% of Democrats and 48% of independents favored the vaccination.
Men were slightly more likely to say they would definitely or probably get vaccinated. Older people were far more likely to favor getting the shot. Of those 70 or older, 84% said they would likely or definitely get vaccinated. Only 47% of people 18 to 29 said they would likely or definitely get vaccinated.
Several members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation have received the vaccine in recent days, including both senators.
“I am fully confident in its safety and efficacy, and I urge all Oklahomans and Americans to get the vaccine when it is available to them,” said Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, said, “At the recommendation of the Office of the Attending Physician and to demonstrate my total confidence in this vaccine, I received my first dose over the weekend. While vaccinations are a personal decision, defeating this terrible coronavirus is a war we must fight and win together. We can all do our part by taking the vaccine as soon as it becomes available to us all.”
The new poll shows two-thirds of the Oklahoma voters surveyed oppose making the vaccine mandatory, with 76% of Republicans opposing mandatory vaccinations.