OHIO — The exclusive Spectrum News/IPSOS poll asked Ohioans questions on a variety of pressing topics making headlines this year.
Questions ranged from opinions on the election, race relations and approval ratings for Gov. Mike DeWine and President Donald Trump.
One part of this poll included all sorts of questions to gauge general opinions on the ways the pandemic has disrupted every-day life.
Only 30% of Ohioans who took part in the survey said that they felt COVID-19 lockdowns were too restrictive. Of all the issues facing the state, COVID-19 continues to be the biggest one for Ohioans.
Of 1,400 participants, 55% ranked coronavirus as the main problem followed by opioid or drug addiction and unemployment.
“Somebody close to me died. I’ve known neighbors that had it and have been sick,” said Gerald Macklin, a Warrensville Heights resident.
As the nation is in the eighth month of the pandemic, some believe normalcy will so be restored. But a majority of the participants, 70%, agreed it will be six months or longer than a year.
More than 30% of the respondents said it will be longer than a year before things go back to the way they used to be.
“I’m hoping right after the election, but probably not,” said Nick Grimm, a Cuyahoga Falls resident.
“I don’t think it’s going away anytime soon, and a lot of people just aren’t being safe either,” said Janet Bergant, a Cleveland Heights resident.
“I’m not sure. At least two or three years,” said Macklin.
“The way it’s looking now, I don’t think we’re going to ever return to a per say ‘normal; that we had before,” said Katriina Fladerus, a Beachwood resident.
MetroHealth Chief of Psychology Dr. Terry Stancin says the long-term mental health impact of a prolonged pandemic could be significant.
“We could pretty much hunker down and get through anything if it was just a few months, but if it’s going to be a year, 18 months, that could lead to some really significant concerns about how people are going to deal with it,” said Stancin.
According to the survey, 33% feel the federal government is doing an “excellent or good” job at handling the COVID-19 crisis.
As for how Gov. Mike DeWine is handling the pandemic, 53% approve of the state government’s approach and 55% are pleased with the local government response.
“Not doing too bad. They’re doing as best as they can. That’s all everybody can do,” said Grimm.
The effects of the virus are widespread, including all of the changes to education that mean many students are learning virtually.
The poll found that 46% agreed that their child is falling behind in school because of COVID-19, and 61% feel there should be a state law mandating masks in public.
“They’re not exactly sure how it’s transmitted, so just to be safe,” said Bergant.
Last week, Ohio shattered the record of daily reported coronavirus cases by reaching more than 2,000 COVID-19 cases.
One question on the exclusive Spectrum News/IPSOS poll asked if a series of statements apply to you.
It asked if you or anyone you know has tested and been diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you or anyone you know has suspected that they have had the virus. It also asked if any friends or relatives have died from COVID-19.
And more than half of the survey participants, 53%, selected “none of the above” to that question.
“It surprises me in that I think that more people should be affected other than the 47% that were affected, as far as knowing someone that’s been diagnosed or having it personally affect you in the workplace or home life. I think that number is probably under reported or the question was misunderstood,” said Fladerus.
Stancin says the amount of people seeking services has increased drastically since COVID-19 hit and lockdowns started. She wants everyone to know that any fear-based feelings you may have are completely normal, but it’s important to seek help.
Stancin says parents worried about their child’s education, for example, is a natural reaction to the stress families are under right now.
More than half of the particpants, 54% said they feel their child is—or would be—safe attending school in-person. And more than 50% in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus agreed that their school district was handling the pandemic well.
However, when it comes to colleges, 53% of Ohioans said they should be closed and only offer virtual classes.
