Minnesotans are smart.
In the poll of 800 registered voters — conducted May 18 through May 20 — 57% of respondents said the restrictions are the right approach to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, while 32% said they have gone too far. Only 9% said the restrictions did not go far enough. Despite partisan divisions, a majority of independents also support the restrictions.
“The rest of them can do whatever they want, but I try and protect myself,” said Gary Lenius, who lives in Two Harbors and supports the restrictions because he’s 78 and at a higher risk of severe illness if he catches the virus. Plus, he said, staying at home fits his lifestyle already. “I’m not going to go out and run around, I’m going to play it cautious and wait and see and take my time. That rocking chair fits quite well by this time.”
The Mason-Dixon poll, which has a 3.5% margin of error, comes as DFL Gov. Tim Walz begins to slowly turn the dial on a stay-at-home order that, for 51 days, shuttered noncritical businesses and asked Minnesotans to stay inside except for essential needs and services. That order was lifted on Monday and replaced with a new measure that allows Main Street businesses and retailers to open their doors, while still limiting group gatherings to no more than 10 people.
