Yes Mask Mandate, School Masks, Vaccine Passport: NJ Patch Survey

NEW JERSEY — More than 17,000 Garden State readers responded to Patch's survey last week asking residents how they feel about masks in light of increasing COVID-19 cases and new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — and their answers were fairly uniform.

Thirty-eight percent of those who responded to Patch's non-scientific survey said they "never" wear a mask indoors in public, even more — over 57 percent — said they will wear a mask if cases surge in their area.

When Patch surveyed readers in April, most of them said a resounding "no" to vaccine passports. But this time around, half of readers said they now support a vaccine passport to attend events or dine indoors.

An overwhelming number of those who responded, more than 79 percent, said they are vaccinated against the coronavirus, while just 10.7 percent said they are not, and a little over nine percent preferred not to say.

Governor Phil Murphy made the decision Friday to mandate masks in all K-12 schools, and according to this poll, our readers support that choice — around 51 percent — said they think students and staff should wear masks at school. Slightly less — 40 percent — were against masks in schools, and just more than 7 percent weren't sure.

Readers were also in support of a new mask mandate, with more than 44 percent of those who responded saying yes.

More than 50 percent of those who responded were in support of businesses requiring patrons to wear masks, while another 44.3 percent said businesses should require masks and around 6 percent of Patch readers who responded weren't sure how they feel.

The survey also asked New Jersey Patch readers space to share any additional thoughts on masks and the COVID-19 pandemic in general. Here's a sampling of responses:

• Better safe than sorry
• No more masks!!!
• Get Vaccinated
• We need to protect our loved ones and especially the young who have not been vaccinated. Masks are a must
• I think schools should still continue a virtual option for children who cannot get vaccinated yet,
• This Delta variant is more contagious and is affecting children more. Parents should have this choice until all children can get vaccinated. It is not safe.
• How come we’ve never had to show proof of vaccination for polio or anything else then? This is ridiculous.
• Teachers will strike if they have to wear masks.
• We don't need to become another Florida.
• No more masks
• Segregate the people who won’t get a vaccine, they are stopping my "freedoms."
• Food service people should wear masks
• Science does NOT lie! I am ashamed to live in the same state with this many ignorant people!
• To the 33.88% of those with one dose, please get the second dose...for your own life's sake!
• Outdoor pools should be required to have a separate area for vaccinated adults where unvaccinated children cannot go

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