RATING: HANDLING CORONAVIRUS

Among voters nationwide

% = Approve/Disapprove
Dr. Anthony Fauci: 77%/12%
Your local officials: 75%/19%
Your state government: 74%/23%
Mike Pence: 55%/37%
Federal government: 55%/41%
Donald Trump: 51%/46%

RON’S COMMENT: Fauci’s approval rating is off the charts. Local and state officials also do very well. Both Trump and Pence poll above 50%, with Pence doing better than his boss…. Trump’s approval rating handling the coronavirus by group: 57% men, 46% women, 24% Democrats, 86% Republicans and 46% independents.

IMPACT ON DAILY LIFE

Among voters nationwide

In light of the coronavirus outbreak, how much have you changed the way you lead your everyday life?

A great deal: 50%
Somewhat: 35%
Not much: 11%
Not at all: 3%

RON’S COMMENT: 85% say the coronavirus outbreak has changed their everyday lives either “a great deal” or “somewhat.”

RATINGS: WORLD LEADERS

Among voters in each country

% = Approve/Disapprove
Boris Johnson (UK): 61%/32%
Andrew Lopez Obrador (Mexico): 60%/29%
Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil): 53%/38%
Angela Merkel (Germany): 49%/43%
Justin Trudeau (Canada): 49%/44%
Scott Morrison (Australia): 47%/44%
Emmanuel Macron (France): 35%/59%
Shinzo Abe (Japan): 32%/55%

RON’S COMMENT: Here is what happened to the approval ratings of world leaders in their countries since the first of January (before the coronavirus outbreak) compared to where they are now:

• Johnson: up 13 points
• Morrison: up 12 points
• Merkel: up 10 points
• Macron: up 7 points
• Trudeau: up 6 points
• Bolsonaro: same
• Abe: down 3 points
• Obrador: down 4 points

PRESIDENT: MICHIGAN

Among voters statewide

Biden over Trump +3 (44-41-6)

RON’S COMMENT: Biden has led Trump in every one of 15 Michigan polls over the past eleven months. In 2016, Trump carried Michigan by the tiny margin of two-tenths of a point. In the last seven presidential elections, Republicans won the state one time and Democrats won it six times. From the poll report:

• “This race is shaping up to be a potential repeat of the Presidential race in 2016,” said Jenell Leonard, owner of MRG. “Neither candidate is personally popular and the partisan support has solidified for each of them. Twenty–five percent of the Independent voters are currently undecided or voting for a third-party candidate. Their votes are up for grabs and whoever wins them over will likely win in November.”

SENATE: MICHIGAN

Among voters statewide

Sen. Gary Peters (D) over John James (R): +7 (42-35-1)

RON’S COMMENT: Since the first of the year, Democratic incumbent Peters has led Republican James by an average of 5.7 points. Handicappers rate the general election lean Democratic. From the poll report:

• “After five years in office, Gary Peters is still unknown to almost one-third of Michigan voters and that alone makes him potentially vulnerable,” said Tom Shields, MRG’s Senior Advisor. “But his early spending this quarter, running positive campaign ads for himself and starting to attack his Republican rival, John James, has paid dividends and opened up a seven-point lead.

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Timely Research Advice: 
How to Communicate During the Pandemic
New national polling shows that 57% of U.S. adults say ads showing people shaking hands are not appropriate in a time of social distancing. This is a good example how the coronavirus outbreak creates new communications challenges for businesses, nonprofits and associations. Learn the five ways that strategic research can be used to reshape messaging and creative during this crisis: READ FULL ARTICLE

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