Majority in poll need at least 2-3 months before they'll be comfortable in public without mask

But in sharp partisan split, 46% of Republicans would go without a mask today, while among Democrats that figure is just 8%.

By Carrie Sheffield

Published: May 13, 2020 10:48am

Updated: May 13, 2020 2:56pm

A slight majority of Americans (52%) would need at least 2-3 months before they'd feel comfortable going out in public without a mask, according to a new Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen.

A plurality of 27% of respondents say they are already comfortable going out in public without a mask. Another 12% said they would need about a month before feeling comfortable.

However, 16% said they'd need 2-3 months to reach a feeling of comfort without a mask, 11% said they'd need 3-6 months, 19% said more than 6 months, and 6% said they will "never feel comfortable in a social setting without wearing a mask."

Thirty-five percent (35%) of men are already comfortable with the no-mask approach. Just 20% of women are that confident. White voters are a bit more comfortable than black and Hispanic voters. Thirty percent (30%) of suburban voters are okay going mask-less today, along with just 22% of urban voters.

"But the most dramatic difference is found along partisan and ideological lines," said Scott Rasmussen. "Forty-six percent (46%) of Republicans would go without a mask today. So would 30% of Independent voters. However, among Democrats, that figure is just 8%. From an ideological perspective, 46% of conservatives are already comfortable going out in public without a mask. Just 13% of liberals agree. The partisan and ideological divide highlights how the masks have quickly become a political symbol."

Just the News Poll, When will you feel comfortable going out in public without wearing a mask?

Just the News Daily Poll

With Scott Rasmussen

Just the News Daily Poll respondents were asked “How long will it be before you feel comfortable going out in public without wearing a mask?" They replied as below:

27% I’m already comfortable
12% A month or so
16% Two to three months
11% Three to six months
19% More than six months
6% I will never feel comfortable in a social setting without wearing a mask
9% Not sure

The national survey of 1,200 registered voters was conducted May 7-9, 2020 by Rasmussen, a polling veteran. Margin of sampling error: +/- 2.8% for full sample.

To see the full demographic cross-tabulations for this polling question, click below:

2020-05-13 JTN Poll Crosstabs.pdf

To see the methodology and sample demographics for this polling question, click below:

2020-May 7-9 JTN Poll Methodology + Sample.pdf