TAMPA -- A new poll shows Tampa Bay area residents are getting more pessimistic about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the survey conducted by the Tampa Bay Partnership, 36 percent of respondents think the COVID-19 situation will be worse in 60 days, while 34 percent believe it will be better.
The Tampa Bay Partnership/Community Foundation of Tampa Bay/United Way/USF Muma College of Business survey finds more people have lost their jobs or had hours reduced since April. Only 30 percent of those who've been let go or cutback in hours think they'll be able to find a job with similar pay. 43 percent say they won't.
The survey also finds 48 percent of residents want schools to open online only, 15 percent support physical reopening and the rest support letting parents decide. Two thirds of respondents didn't have children in school.
Pollster Joseph St Germain says more than half support either more restrictions on businesses OR a return to stay at home orders.
As far as how politicians are handling the outbreak, slim majorities say President Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis have had a "poor" response. Most local politicians' ratings on handling the pandemic have declined from previous surveys, with the exception of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, who has pushed aggressive enforcement of mask mandates.
The surveys went out to at least 384 residents in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties, July 21-22. TBP has interviewed residents five times about the pandemic since April.
See more from the survey here:
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