Plurality Support Law to Remove Mask Mandates in Salt Lake, Summit Counties
PHOENIX (March 2nd, 2022)- Despite holiday travel, holiday gatherings, and the Omicron variant, Utah residents’ concern with COVID-19 has not significantly changed in the last several months, and a plurality of Utahns are itching for a return to normalcy. According to the latest Utah Public Opinion Pulse (UTPOP) survey by OH Predictive Insights (OHPI), extreme or moderate concern for COVID-19 in Utah has only increased 2 points since November 2021, currently at 39%.
This UTPOP was conducted February 7th – February 14th, 2022 and surveyed 905 Utah residents (18+ YO), giving the survey a margin of error of +/- 3.3%.
COVID-19 Concern
Highest levels of concern (extremely or moderately concerned) are among self-identified liberals (63%), Hispanic respondents (48%), non-parents (47%), and respondents in Salt Lake County (45%).
Down 4 points from November, 36% of Utah residents have slight or no concern at all – statistically equal to the nearly 2 in 5 extremely/moderately concerned. The groups with the lowest levels of concern (slightly or not at all concerned) are parents of children under the age of 18 (44%) and respondents in Utah’s South Rural Region (44%).
“With little change in concern since November, holiday travel and the omicron variant don’t seem to have phased Utahns…at least not enough to fuel any more fear,” said Mike Noble, OHPI Chief of Research.
Expectations
Overall, 42% of Utahns say they expect to see improvement in the COVID-19 issue in the next 30 days, compared to only 17% of respondents who anticipate things will get worse. The remaining 41% expect conditions to be about the same. Almost half of Utahns (48%) believe COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon, so it is time to start getting back to normal, whereas a similar but smaller share (43%) believes the spread of COVID-19 can be significantly reduced, and we should continue to take preventative measures.
“This data could be showing early signs that the general attitude of Utahns is leaning towards, ‘things will either get better or they’ll stay the same, so let’s start getting back to our pre-pandemic normal,’” said Mike Noble.
The idea of returning to normal activities is popular among self-identified conservatives (66%), respondents ages 18-34 (57%), and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (54%). Continuing to take precautionary measures is preferred by self-identified liberals (69%), Utahns ages 55+ (55%), and college graduates (49%).
Mask Mandates
Recently, the Utah State Legislature voted to remove mask mandates in Salt Lake and Summit counties – a decision that earned plurality support from Utah residents. Nearly half of respondents are in support (47%) while 34% are opposed to the passed legislation.
“Regionally, Salt Lake County is evenly split on this issue while all the other regions are roughly 2:1 in support – with the exception of less support in the North Rural region,” said Noble.
Overall, Utah males (net +19 support) are more supportive of the legislative decision than females (net +6 support). Parents of children under the age of 18 are extremely supportive (net +32 support), whereas Utahns over the age of 65 are the highest in opposition to the legislative decision (net -20 oppose).
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Methodology: This poll was conducted as an online opt-in panel survey. The survey was completed by OH Predictive Insights from February 7th – February 14th, 2022 from a Utah Statewide General Population sample. The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect gender, region, age, ethnicity, and education according to recent Census data available. The sample size was 905 general population (18+ YO) respondents, with a MoE of ± 3.3%. Numbers may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Media Contact:
Veronica Sutliff, Noble Predictive Insights, v.sutliff@npredictive.com, (602) 390-5248
Mike Noble, Noble Predictive Insights, m.noble@npredictive.com, (480) 313-1837
About Noble Predictive Insights: As a nonpartisan public opinion polling, market research, and data analytics firm, Noble Predictive Insights exists to elevate the world around us by empowering decision-makers with digestible data and actionable insights that translate to data-based solutions. We bridge the gap between research and strategy with customized strategic research, a hyper-focus on impact, and being true partners with our clients. Noble Predictive Insights (formerly O.H. Predictive Insights) is a 2023 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company in the Southwest region, and is ranked in the top 15 most accurate pollsters as well as in the top 5 for lowest average bias in the 2021-22 election cycle by FiveThirtyEight. For more information, please call (602) 326-5694 or visit our website at www.noblepredictiveinsights.com.