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A nationwide poll conducted March 3 – 4 by Zogby Strategies found more than six in 10 parents (62%) agree President Biden should follow the UK and drop all mandates related to COVID-19.

The poll of 1,003 parents with children under 12 was commissioned by Children’s Health Defense (CHD). According to the poll, 26% disagreed with ending mandates.

Almost 8 in 10 (78%) of those polled self-identified as progressives, 77% described themselves as “very conservative.” Liberals and moderates made up 56% of the respondents.

Of those who self-identified as conservatives, 74% said they were in favor of ending all mandates.

Respondents also were asked whether they side with government mandates or the popular sentiment “my body, my choice,” when it comes to getting the COVID vaccine.

Overall, 65% of parents identified with “my body, my choice,” leaving 25% who sided with government mandates. Again, majorities were found across the political spectrum in favor of personal choice over mandates.

Drilling down, another question probed parents about the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, federal legislation that provides vaccine manufacturers liability protection against being sued if their products cause injury or death.

Respondents were asked whether they trust Congress’s ruling to offer vaccine manufacturers legal protection or if Congress should offer no such protection.

Overall, 53% said they believed Congress should not offer such protection to vaccine producers. Almost one-third (31%) trusted Congress’s move to grant vaccine manufacturers liability protection.

Liberals and moderates reported pluralities (49%) believing no law should ever protect vaccine manufacturers against being sued. This sentiment was even higher among conservatives and those who self-identified as very conservative.

On the flip side, most progressive parents (59%) said they trust Congress for granting vaccine makers liability protection.

Respondents also were asked if it should be up to the parents or school districts to decide if children should wear masks at school. In a decisive response, 67% of participants said it should be up to the parents versus 26% who said the school districts should decide.

The poll also found parents split over Dr. Anthony Fauci’s legacy:

  • 34% believed he will be remembered for advancing public health; 36% said he’ll be remembered for putting personal gain over public health and 30% weren’t sure.
  • Slightly more, 31%, believed Fauci is guilty of funding gain-of-function research that led to the outbreak of SARS COV2 versus 29% who said they believe he is innocent.
  • 39% said Fauci should resign; 32% said he should remain in charge of the pandemic.

“After more than two years of intense divide over politics and public health, Americans are becoming more aligned and consensus has emerged in favor of individual choice over government mandates,” said Mary Holland, CHD president and general counsel.

Senate Republicans last week passed a non-binding resolution calling for an end to the COVID-19 national emergency. Biden threatened to veto the resolution if it passes in the House.

The overall margin of sampling error in the poll is +/- 3.2 percentage points. Sub-groups have higher error margins. Question-wording and full results are available from Zogby Strategies.