For release: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 7:00 AM EDT
**Embargoed Until Wednesday, October 29 th at 7:00 am EDT** Confronting the Threat of Ebola in the U.S. October 23-27, 2014
Eight in 10 Americans support quarantine for U.S. citizens and legal residents returning from West Africa.
Most also think foreign visitors from West Africa should be quarantined, and more than a quarter dont think they should be allowed into the country at all.
56% of Americans dont think the federal government is prepared for a large Ebola outbreak, and 66% dont think their own local hospital is prepared.
Six in 10 Americans are at least somewhat concerned about a large outbreak of Ebola in the U.S., though just 32% are very concerned. Most dont think it is likely that they or a family member will get Ebola.
Quarantine on Travelers from West Africa
Americans overwhelmingly support quarantine for travelers arriving from West Africa. 80% think U.S. citizens and legal residents returning from West Africa should be quarantined upon their arrival in the U.S. until it is certain they dont have Ebola. Just 17% think they should be allowed to enter as long as they do not show symptoms of Ebola.
What Should Happen to U.S. Citizens Returning from West Africa? Allowed to enter if no symptoms 17% Quarantined upon arrival 80
Polling began on the evening of October 23 rd , the night Dr. Craig Spencer became the first U.S. citizen to be diagnosed with Ebola inside the United States after contracting the disease in West Africa.
Americans are even more stringent when it comes to foreign visitors from West Africa. Just 14% think foreign visitors should be allowed to enter the U.S. as long as they show no symptoms of Ebola. Most - 56% - think they should be quarantined upon arrival, while just over a quarter (27%) doesnt think they should be allowed to enter the U.S. at all until the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is over.
What Should Happen to Foreign U.S. Visitors from West Africa? Allowed to enter if no symptoms 14% Quarantined upon arrival 56 Not allowed to enter 27
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Is the U.S. Prepared?
Americans continue to show concern that the federal government is not adequately prepared to deal with an outbreak of Ebola in the United States. 56% do not think the federal government is adequately prepared, and 66% feel the same way about their own local hospital.
Are They Prepared to Deal with an Outbreak of Ebola in the U.S.? Federal Government Your local hospital Yes, prepared 39% 28% No, not prepared 56 66
61% of Americans are at least somewhat concerned that there will be a large outbreak of Ebola inside the United States within the next twelve months. Still, the percentage of Americans who are very concerned has dropped eight points, from 40% at the beginning of the month to 32% now.
Concern About an Outbreak of Ebola in the U.S. Now 10/8/2014 Very concerned 32% 40% Somewhat concerned 29 29 Not very concerned 22 20 Not at all concerned 16 10
And few Americans believe they or their family are directly at risk. 83% of Americans dont think it is likely that they or a member of their family will get Ebola, including 52% who say it is not likely at all.
Likelihood You or a Family Member Will Get Ebola Very likely 3% Somewhat likely 11 Not too likely 31 Not at all likely 52
Rating the President and the CDC
Americans evaluations of President Barack Obamas handling of the threat of Ebola are more positive than negative. 47% approve of how hes handling this issue, while fewer 41% - disapprove. Assessment on this measure is largely partisan, with 64% of Republicans disapproving of how the President is handling it and 71% of Democrats approving. Independents are split down the middle.
President Obamas Handling of the Ebola Threat Total Reps Dems Inds Approve 47% 23% 71% 43% Disapprove 41 64 21 43
Americans are not as optimistic about the federal agency that is responsible for dealing with public health threats. Americans give the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention negative
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ratings in dealing with Ebola: just four in 10 say the CDC is doing an excellent (9%) or good (31%) job. 57% say it is doing a fair (39%) or poor (18%) job.
Job Rating of the CDC in Fighting Ebola Total Reps Dems Inds Excellent 9% 7% 9% 11% Good 31 24 39 29 Fair 39 41 38 39 Poor 18 25 11 18 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ This poll was conducted by telephone October 23-27, 2014 among 1,269 adults nationwide. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. Data collection was conducted on behalf of CBS News by SSRS of Media, PA. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
CBS NEWS POLL Confronting the Threat of Ebola in the U.S. October 23-27, 2014
Q1-Q6. Held for future release.
Q7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the threat of the Ebola virus?
*TOTAL RESPONDENTS* Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % Approve 47 23 71 43 Disapprove 41 64 21 43 Don't know/No answer 11 13 8 14
Q8-Q52. Held for future release.
Q53. How concerned are you that there will be a large outbreak of Ebola inside the United States within the next twelve months very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not at all concerned?
Oct14a Very concerned 32 32 33 31 40 Somewhat concerned 29 32 27 29 29 Not too concerned 22 26 22 21 20 Not at all concerned 16 10 17 19 10 Don't know/No answer * - - 1 1
Q54. Do you think the federal government is adequately prepared to deal with an outbreak of Ebola inside the United States, or not?
Q57. How would you rate the job being done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- or the CDC in dealing with the threat of Ebola? Would you say it is doing an excellent, good, only fair, or poor job?
Q60. What do you think should happen to foreign visitors who are entering the U.S. from West Africa? 1. (They should be allowed to enter the U.S. as long as they do not show symptoms of Ebola), or 2. They should be quarantined upon their arrival in the US until its certain they do not have Ebola, or 3. (They should not be allowed to enter the U.S. until the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is over.)
*TOTAL RESPONDENTS* Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % Allowed to enter 14 8 14 17 Quarantined on arrival 56 56 62 53 Not be allowed to enter 27 33 22 29 Don't know/No answer 2 3 2 2
Q59. What about U.S. citizens and legal residents who are returning to the U.S. from West Africa? 1. (They should be allowed to enter the U.S. as long as they do not show symptoms of Ebola), or 2. (They should be quarantined upon their arrival in the US until its certain they do not have Ebola.)
Allowed to enter 17 13 17 19 Quarantined on arrival 80 84 81 78 Don't know/No answer 2 2 2 3
Q61. How likely do you think it is that you or someone in your family will get sick with the Ebola virus--very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?
Very likely 3 2 3 3 Somewhat likely 11 12 10 11 Not too likely 31 41 26 30 Not likely at all 52 44 57 53 Don't know/No answer 2 1 3 3
Unweighted Weighted Total Respondents 1,269
Total Republicans 337 301 Total Democrats 393 406 Total Independents 539 562