Most Americans Favor Returning to Work But Democrats Say It’s a Bad Idea

The majority of Americans favor returning to work even in the era of coronavirus.

Fifty-eight percent of Americans say returning to work is a good idea, according to an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll of 1,261 National Adults.

Support for returning to work is broad, cutting across income, education, ethnic, generational, regional, age, and gender lines.

But there is a stark political distinction: only 33 percent of Democrats say it is a good idea to return to work. Fifty-three percent say it is a bad idea.

Eighty-four percent of Republicans say returning to work is a good idea. Just 11 percent say it is a bad idea.

Among independents, 56 percent say it is a good idea. Thirty-three percent say it is a bad idea.

That puts Democrats at odds with most of the county.

• Majorities in all four regions say returning to work is a good idea.
• Majorities of people earning under $50,000 and people earning over that among favor work,.
• Majorities of college graduates and non-graduates favor returning to work.
• Majorities of those over 45 and those under favor returning to work.
• Majorities of Gen Z, Millenials, Gen X, Boomer, and Silent Generation favor returning to work.
• Majorities of whites and Hispanics favor returning to work.
• Thirty-eight percent of blacks say work is a good idea, versus 47 percent who say it is a bad idea.
• People who live small cities, small towns, suburbs, and rural areas favor work.
• Big city dwellers oppose, 47 percent versus 40 percent.