A slim majority of Michiganders don’t support vaccine mandates for employers or customers, although most people surveyed do support mask mandates and vaccines for children, per a survey commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber.
But opinions vary widely by political party.
For example, 51.9% of respondents oppose a vaccine requirement for business employees or customers, while 44% expressed support. But 74.6% of those who consider themselves “strong Democrats” support such mandates, while only 18.8% of “strong Republicans” support them.
Independents largely side with Republicans, here, with only 32.8% supporting such vaccine mandates and 62.4% opposing.
“The polling shows that the last 18 months have exacerbated divisions,” said Sandy K. Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber, in a news release. “Finding consensus on how to best control COVID-19 and move Michigan forward has become even more challenging.”
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The 600-person survey has a margin of error of +/-4%. It was done between Aug. 30 and Sept. 3, just before President Joe Biden announced his vaccine order for employees at all businesses with 100 workers or more.
The Detroit Regional Chamber opposes Biden’s rule.
“Vaccines remain the most effective pathway out of the pandemic; however, businesses need to build consensus with their staff before implementing any mandates,” the chamber said in the release. “Sentiment on vaccination mandates is highly divisive, and in the midst of a labor shortage, mandates could further exacerbate human resources challenges.”
But the group also opposes a Republican bill in Michigan that would prohibit any employer from mandating their own workers get vaccinated – since that would restrict businesses from making decisions that are best for them.
Michiganders are split on the Republican bill – with 47.9% in favor and 46.8% opposed, per the survey.
Here are some other findings from the poll:
- 51.8% said vaccinations should be an individual’s choice, while 40.2% said they’re angry that people are prolonging the pandemic by declining the vaccine. 6.5% said they don’t believe in the vaccine and say we should “let nature take its course.”
- 55.1% said children should be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine once its approved for kids by the Food and Drug Administration – just like vaccines are required for polio, rubella, measles and chicken pox. 38.2% oppose such a mandate.
- Regarding a mandate for kids, respondents without children supported the idea, 65% to 28%, while more parents with children opposed it, 55.7% to 38.1%.
- 57.3% support mask requirements in buildings until the delta variant subsides – including 42.5% of people who “strongly support” the idea.
- Among people who are unvaccinated but say they’re “likely” to get the shot, 62.5% said…
Read More: Vaccine mandates opposed by slim majority in Michigan, polls find