Four in five Inland Empire voters support requiring face coverings inside public spaces, according to a new poll that finds widespread support for coronavirus restrictions in a region where anti-mask sentiments and elected officials’ objections to state COVID-19 orders have been well-publicized. The poll, released Monday from UC Berkeley, found strong support for temporarily limiting restaurants to offering take-out and delivery orders only and restricting places of worship to outdoor-only services.
Michael Gomez Daily, director of IE United, said that the poll “validates what we have seen in the community…. Now that we have evidence of this, we hope our county elected officials change their rhetoric, and focus on doing what is right for the community: listening to science and approaching recovery and reopening in a responsible manner.” San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been among the hardest hit by the pandemic, ranking second and third in California, respectively.
According to the poll, 82% back the mask requirement for public spaces and retail stores. Eighty-six percent said it was important that local officials set an example by wearing masks in public. Sixty-four percent favored temporarily limiting restaurants to take-out or delivery orders, while 63% supported requiring in-person religious services to be outdoors-only.
