A new AP-NORC poll finds deep support for economic policies to protect hospitals, small businesses and individuals. Support is thin for policies supporting airlines and tourism industries.;

WASHINGTON - A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that positive views of the nation's economy are down dramatically just since January, with 60% of Americans now saying the economy is “poor” after 67% called it “good” in January.

The poll also finds wide support for several measures taken to prop up the economy, especially those aimed at helping individuals, small businesses and hospitals.

Among other findings in the survey, conducted March 26-29 among American adults:

— In total, about half who were employed prior to the outbreak have experienced at least one type of income loss, whether that happened to them or someone else in the household. Layoffs were reported in 33% of such homes, scaled back work hours in 38%, unpaid time off in 27% and a pay cut in 26%. Thirty-three per cent of people in households making less than $50,000 a year reported that they or another household member had been laid off, compared with 18% of those making more.

— The poll finds widespread support for many elements of the $2.2 trillion relief package passed by Congress last month. About 9 in 10 favour the federal government providing funding to small businesses and hospitals, while about 8 in 10 favour lump sum payments to Americans, suspending evictions and foreclosures, increased unemployment benefits and suspended student loan payments. About 6 in 10 favour funding for public transportation agencies.

— Those measures enjoy broad bipartisan support, but Republicans are more tepid in their support of some of the measures than Democrats. For example, 67% of Democrats and 38% of Republicans call themselves strongly, rather than just somewhat, in favour of increased unemployment benefits. There are similar gaps in strong support for suspending evictions and foreclosures, suspending student loan payments and making lump sum payments to Americans.

— Americans hold more mixed views on some other relief efforts. While 36% favour funding going to airlines, 32% are opposed and 31% don’t have an opinion. The overall numbers are similar when it comes to funding provided to tourism industries. Republicans are more likely to favour than oppose payments to airlines, 46% to 24%, while Democrats are somewhat more opposed than in favour, 39% to 29%.

— The poll also shows about 8 in 10 Americans are in favour of using emergency powers to order private manufacturers to produce medical equipment. Eighty-four per cent of Democrats and 78% of Republicans favour taking that step.

— Nearly all Americans say they’re at least somewhat concerned about the impact of the virus outbreak on the national economy, including close to three-quarters who call themselves very or extremely concerned. In particular, the vast majority — 84% — say they’re very concerned about the impact on small businesses and more than half — 56% — say the same about the impact on non-profit organizations.

— In general, Americans are less concerned about the impact on large corporations — only 28% call themselves very concerned, although 35% say they are somewhat concerned. Democrats and Republicans have similar levels of concern about the impact on small businesses, while Republicans are more likely than Democrats to have at least some concern about the impact on large corporations, 71% to 55%.

___

The AP-NORC poll of 1,057 adults was conducted March 26-29 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.

___

Online:

AP-NORC Center: http://www.apnorc.org/

News from © The Associated Press, 2020