MADISON, Wis.— A new Spectrum News/IPSOS poll gives a snapshot of Wisconsin’s top COVID-19 health concerns, as the virus continues to surge across the state at its highest levels yet. 

The data, collected from 1,000 Wisconsinites over the week of Oct. 7-15, reveals many individuals remain worried about the length of the pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • View full Spectrum News/IPSOS Poll results here

  • Poll takes a deep look at topics affecting Wisconsin voters

  • Survey topics include: Evers approval, voting concerns, racial justice, COVID-19, among others

Of those polled with the question “When do you think life in your community will get back to normal?” 73% said six months or longer than a year. UW Health Chief Quality & Safety Officer Dr. Jeff Pothof says he agrees with that group, as the country waits on an FDA-approved vaccine. 

"You know, I think we're still looking at you know the six- to eight-month time period before we get back to normal," he said.

But 71-year-old COVID-19 survivor John Doll and about 11% of those asked believe that timeline will be much less than 6 months. Doll believes the COVID-19 response has become completely politicized.

"I think only about three weeks, maybe make it a month and a half, soon as the election is over. And we know who the new president is," he said.

Meanwhile, Doll also joins the minority on another hot topic.  He and 32% of polled Wisconsinites do not believe in a statewide law mandating masks be worn at all times in public.

"It's ridiculous to have one in 35 of the 42 counties in the state, and I think people that need a mask should wear a mask if they're over a certain age. They are pretty smart to use a mask," Doll said.  "But I think they go way overboard," he added about forcing children over 2 and other individuals to wear them full-time.

Dr. Pothof, along with 61% of those asked that same question, believe a mask mandate is critical in the fight against COVID-19.

"It's been shown over and over again that national or at least statewide policies that direct people to the behaviors that they need to do to keep themselves and our community safe— it's not just about our own personal safety, it's about others’ safety that our decisions impact— is the best way to beat this pandemic," he said.

Gov. Tony Evers first issued a statewide mask mandate in July, directing anyone aged 5 and up to wear masks in indoor or enclosed public spaces. He later extended the mandate until Nov. 21, and last week a judge ruled to keep the order in place against challenges from a conservative legal group.

 

 

Interestingly, both the former COVID-19 patient and the physician agree on one thing. They, along with 40% of Wisconsinites polled, say they will get the first generation COVID-19 vaccine when approved by the FDA. In fact, Dr. Pothof was the first in the country to roll up his sleeve for the AstraZeneca trial. 

That trial — along with another vaccine study from Johnson & Johnson and an antibody treatment trial from Eli Lilly — was put on hold in the U.S. after health concerns among participants, though experts say these types of pauses are normal in the course of medical trials.

"The important thing for people to know about the vaccine is there's a lot of eyes on this vaccine development, and for the most part medical professionals are actually pretty impressed with the efforts that the vaccine companies, and the various governments are taking," Dr. Pothof said.

Doll says he thinks the vaccine is simply the smart thing for any senior to do.

"Absolutely, every year probably if they give it to you every year," he said.  

Presently, 38% of those polled said they would not take the first generation vaccine and 22% were still uncertain.

 

 

Another question asked in the Spectrum News/IPSOS Poll pertained to lockdowns becoming too restrictive. Sixty-one percent disagreed with that statement, while nearly 30% agreed with it.  

Evers’ full “Safer at Home” order was struck down by the state Supreme Court in the spring. But a recent order limiting capacity at indoor venues was reinstated this week after a legal challenge by the Tavern League of Wisconsin.

 

 

Overall, 63% of Wisconsinites in the poll agreed that COVID-19 was the main problem facing their state today. And cases are continuing to climb, as on Wednesday the state surpassed its single-day death toll from COVID-19 and accepted its first patient into a field hospital set up to support overwhelmed hospitals.

You can see full poll results on COVID-19 and other issues that matter to Wisconsinites here.

 

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