Trump voters say face masks prevent covid-19 spread; most U.S. voters say fight more important for Congress than economic boost

Almost eight in 10 voters said they believe face masks help prevent spread of the coronavirus, including 60 percent of those who said they are “very favorable” about President Trump and 57 percent those who said they voted for him in 2016, according to a new national poll. 

The survey by Politico and Morning Consult is "the latest sign of how the president is out of step with public opinion — as well as public health — when it comes to the virus," Politico reports. "Meanwhile, nearly all Democrats and Trump critics who responded to the survey said they believe in the value of masks to fight the virus."

Trump "has repeatedly questioned the need to wear masks, even suggesting that some mask-wearers may be doing it to signal their disapproval of him," Politico notes.

The poll also found that fighting the virus should be a higher priority for Congress than stimulating the economy, by 72 to 65 percent; 47 percent named health care reform. 

"Trump’s handling of the crisis was viewed through a partisan lens," Politico reports. "Fifty percent of respondents rated the president’s management of the pandemic as 'poor,' but that view was only shared by 11 percent of respondents who said they were Republican or leaned Republican. Instead, Trump’s traditional supporters praised his leadership on the virus; 74 percent of respondents who voted for Trump in 2016 thought the president was doing an 'excellent' or 'good job' on the coronavirus."