Support among Wyoming residents for most measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus continued to decline in July, according to a survey conducted by the University of Wyoming.
However, the survey conducted by the UW’s Survey and Analysis Center also showed that more than half of those questioned would support a rule that would make the use of face masks mandatory for people visiting indoor public places.
The survey of 504 Wyoming residents conducted on July 14 and 15, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4%, showed that fewer people in July supported actions such as closing public schools, daycare centers and restaurants than supported similar actions in June.
The closure of public schools was supported by 36.6% in July, a decline of more than 15 percentage points from June, while the closure of daycare centers was backed by 33.8%, a drop of more than 13 points since June. The closure of restaurants and bars was backed by only 27%, a decline of more than 5 points from June.
The one action supported by a growing number of those questioned was for limiting public gatherings, which was supported by 61.2% of those questioned in July, an increase of 3.9 percentage points from June.
Of those questioned, 56.4% said they would strongly or somewhat support a face mask requirement for indoor public places, while 35.7% said they would strongly or somewhat oppose such a requirement.
Support was much lower for the idea of requiring a face mask for people visiting outdoor public places. The survey showed 55.6% somewhat or strongly opposed of such an ordinance, while 34.7% would strongly or somewhat support it.
The survey also showed that those questioned are using face masks more often themselves.Of those questioned, 29.2% said in the last two weeks, they have always worn a face mask when visiting indoor public places, an increase from 25.2% asked the same question on June 8.
The number who reported they often or occasionally wear face masks indoors also went up slightly to 34.4%, compared to 29.2% in June.
Those who said they rarely or never wore masks when visiting indoor public places declined from 42.7% to 33.5%.
