Most New Jersey residents support Murphy's order to lift mask mandate for schools, Eagleton poll finds

More than two-thirds of New Jersey residents stated that they support Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D-N.J.) executive order to lift the in-school mask mandate in a poll for the Eagleton Institute of Politics, according to an article from NJ Advance Media.

The order became effective yesterday, making masks for protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) optional in a majority of school districts in the state, according to the press release.

Additionally, masks are no longer required on school buses or child care facilities, according to the article.

The poll reported that out of 1,044 adults in the state, 46 percent “strongly agree” with Murphy’s action and 22 percent “somewhat agree.” 

It also found that approximately 30 percent of state residents wanted the mask mandate to remain in place as 12 percent reported they “somewhat disagree,” and 18 percent reported they “strongly disagree” with the change, according to the article.

“The school mask mandate is one of the last visible public health emergency measures in the Garden State, and its end is a welcomed one for many New Jerseyans, according to our numbers,” said Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling.

Most of the state residents who participated in the poll reported that they still wear masks in public, indoor spaces despite the fact that they mostly have not been required in many public areas since May 2021, according to the article.

The poll also found that approximately 60 percent of state residents reported they feel they are less at risk of contracting COVID-19 compared to spring 2020, 33 percent reported they feel the same level of risk and 7 percent feel they are at higher risk.

“Parents especially agree with ending the mandate, as do partisans of all stripes, though to varying degrees,” Koning said. “Nevertheless, disagreement is sizable and reflects the debate surrounding the issue of masking that often pits politics and public health against one another.”