In a new poll, it has been revealed that Americans are split on Donald Trump's response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Conducted by ABC Newsand global market/opinion research firm Ipsos, the poll found that 55 percent of those surveyed approve of the President's response to the crisis, which has shifted from skeptical to serious in a matter of weeks.
The survey is "based on a nationally representative probability sample of 502 general population adults age 18 or older," and the results indicate Trump's winning more people over with his response. A similiar poll conducted last week showed only 43 percent approved of his management of the crisis, but the approval rate has gone up as his approach has shifted. Since Saturday, Trump has conducted daily briefings to update the nation on the virus.
Additionally, the poll asked participants whether the coronavirus pandemic had disrupted their lives in some form or other. 72 percent said they had noticed a change in how they go about their lives. Those surveyed were also asked whether they were concerned about contracting the virus or someone they know getting it, with 34 percent "very concerned," 45 percent "somewhat concerned," 16 percent "not so concerned," and only 5 percent "not concerned at all."
It's worth pointing out that Democrats who participated in the poll were more concerned than Republicans. Trump only recently started to show concern himself, and a report from the Washington Post revealed that White House sources say his mood changed when Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson gave a monologue about the virus in which he cautioned "this is real."