Americans Strongly Support Direct Cash Payments, Loan Repayment Freeze Amidst Coronavirus Outbreak

Washington, DC, March 25, 2020 –   More than nine in ten (92%) Americans feel it is important to stay home for the next 14 days to slow the spread of coronavirus, according to a new Newsy/Ipsos poll. As people begin to adapt to their new normal, support for sweeping federal government action – from a freeze on federal loan repayments, to a mandatory shutdown of schools – is widespread. 

Detailed Findings

1. Some are already feeling a financial strain.

• One in three (32%) report they have lost income in the past week, including over half of Gen Z respondents (53%) and four in ten millennials (43%).
• A similar number, 37%, feel they will lose income in the next month. Again, this perception is driven by younger generations: 57% of Gen Z and 50% of millennials agree.
• One in four say that if they were left without income, and no additional financial assistance, their household could carry on for 3 weeks or less.

2. As seven in ten (71%) feel it is very important to stay home for the recommended 14 days, they are looking to the federal government to also take dramatic action.   

• A vast majority (88%) support freezing interest payments on loans for 30 days, including 60% who strongly support. More than eight in ten (83%) also want the federal government to provide direct payments to adults in the U.S. A majority (53%) strongly support this plan.
• While 82% support a mandatory, nationwide shutdown of schools and higher education institutions, support for a mandatory, nationwide shutdown of businesses is much lower (57%).
• More than half (53%) are in favor of a stimulus package for the airline industry, but just 18% are strong supporters of this proposal.

3. Most are staying home, watching the news more, and scrolling through social media.

• Nearly half (46%) report they have watched the news more than they typically would in the past week. Millennials in particular are tuning in more (49% more than they typically would vs. 36% who say they are watching the same amount).
• Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Americans say they are staying home from work, school, or other social obligations as a result of the outbreak.
• More than one-third (35%) report scrolling through social media more often in the past week, including a majority of millennials (51%) and Gen Z (57%).

   

For full results, please refer to the following questionnaire.