COVID-19 is still spreading in New Jersey, but a new poll finds that most people believe the pandemic’s impact on daily life is over. The Monmouth University Polling Institute’s latest survey finds 71% of respondents oppose bringing back COVID-19-related restrictions like social distancing and face mask requirements. Just 25% support reinstating those guidelines. Some 63% of people surveyed oppose vaccine mandates too.
The poll also shows that people are shifting their way of thinking about the pandemic. While 26% of those surveyed believe the pandemic is not over yet but will be at some point, 50% believe it will never be over and we’ll just have to live with it.
The poll results also show that fewer people plan on getting the new bivalent booster shot. Roughly 51% of adults got the previous booster when it was first approved a year ago, but just 33% of respondents polled say they’re very likely to get the new shot. Monmouth University Polling Institute director Patrick Murray said the poll results are a warning sign for health officials.
