BY JUSTINE COLEMAN

Almost six in 10 respondents in a new poll say they are concerned about the U.S. reopening too quickly during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found 58 percent of respondents said they are more concerned about the reopening of the economy than how the stay-at-home orders are affecting the country’s economy. A total of 32 percent are more worried about the economy, and the U.S. taking too long to reopen. 

Most Democrats and independents, at 77 percent and 57 percent, respectively, said they are more worried about a premature reopening of the U.S. economy. 

Republicans, on the other hand, are split, with 48 percent more concerned about the effects of the containment methods on the economy and 39 percent more concerned about an early reopening. 

Republican pollster Bill McInturff, who helped conduct the poll, told NBC that the results represent a “powerful signal” that the country is not ready to reopen on May 1.

Protests against the stay-at-home orders have erupted in several states among mostly conservative crowds.

President Trump defended the protesters last week, saying “they’ve been treated a bit rough.” 

Trump announced last week that the states would decide whether or not to reopen parts of the economy, and the administration has provided guidance on how to do so.

Since March, the percentage of respondents who said they are worried a family member might catch the virus has jumped 20 points, pollsters noted. The percentage of voters who said the virus has impacted their family’s day-to-day life in a major way also has increased 50 points.  

The NBC/WSJ poll surveyed 900 registered voters between April 13 and 15 and has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points.

Source: https://thehill.com/