Poll: Americans Choose Saving Lives Over US Economy

Most Americans say saving lives by preventing the spread of COVID-19 should be the top priority for the U.S. government as the global coronavirus pandemic strains the nation's health care system and social distancing measures ravage the economy, according to a new poll.

The Public Agenda/USA TODAY/Ipsos poll released Friday found the nation is becoming more accepting of drastic interventions to stop the virus' spread, compared with a poll taken March 10 and 11. The increased support for restrictions comes as Americans believe coronavirus effects will be felt for the foreseeable future, the new survey found.

"We’re just going to have to figure something out for the economy,” said New York resident Sue Clinton  who was among the roughly 1,000 respondents. Clinton said she's concerned for the economy, but is more worried with the safety of several family members who have underlying health conditions, which make them especially vulnerable to the virus.

The poll, conducted March 27-30 on behalf of Public Agenda and USA TODAY, surveyed U.S. adults as a part of the Hidden Common Ground initiative, which aims to examine issues that divide America along with potential solutions. The online poll has a credibility interval, akin to a margin of error, of plus or minus 3.5percentage points.