Almost 40% of BC thinks coronavirus restrictions don't go far enough: poll
Almost 40% of British Columbians support adding more restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19.
In data gathered by the Angus Reid Institute, BC, at 38%, joined Saskatchewan (37%) and Manitoba (40%) in showing the most support for imposing more measures to control the spread of the virus “as opposed to fewer.”
A total of 48% said the government’s current restrictions “are about right,” while 14% of BC respondents said they go too far.
According to a release, approximately half of Canadians (52%) feel their government has done a good job of balancing priorities, while half disagree (48%). Atlantic Canada rated its government the highest at three-out-of-five (58%) in favour.
Gender lines may play a role, as men, particularly those under the age of 55, are most likely to say that the restrictions in their province go too far. An identical 31% of women across each age group feel the opposite, while women are also more likely to say their province has “hit the right mark.”
The unique support generated in BC for more restrictions may be due to the recent spike in cases, something Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry spoke in-depth about, pointing to a “disproportionate increase in young adults.”
“We’ve started to see a rapid increase over the last few weeks in younger people,” she told reporters. “That’s reflected in some of the numbers that we’re seeing as well as the discussion we’ve had over the last few weeks of exposure events, particularly social events, parties, get-togethers.”
Henry says that it’s during these kinds of gatherings where “younger people are coming together and the virus is being spread.”
With files from Vince Plana.
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