ATLANTA — After being in the coronavirus pandemic for more than a year, Georgians are still at odds about mask mandates, vaccines, and other COVID-19 policies.
But according to a recent 11Alive SurveyUSA Poll, many Atlantans - 68% of those surveyed - agree with the moves by the federal government and other governmental agencies outside of Georgia that have started requiring employees to be vaccinated to keep their jobs. Those who strongly disagree are overwhelmingly themselves unvaccinated, the poll states.
In addition, a higher percentage of the group surveyed believes healthcare workers, first responders, and educators should be mandated to get the shots.
Out of the people questioned, 76% said they were vaccinated - with 64% fully and 12% receiving at least one dose. Out of the group that is fully vaccinated, 16% said they have already received a booster shot.
More than half of those who didn't get the vaccine said they don't plan on receiving it.
SurveyUSA interviewed 650 adults from Atlanta between Sept. 28 through Oct. 5. Respondents were reached by their home phone or smart devices. Below is a list of the questions and their answers.
The federal government, some states, and some municipalities have begun requiring some employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees who do not get vaccinated may lose their jobs.
In general, do you agree or disagree with government employers requiring their employees be vaccinated in order to keep their jobs?
46% Strongly Agree
22% Somewhat Agree
8% Somewhat Disagree
19% Strongly Disagree
5% Not Sure
Now, specifically: should each of the following groups be required to be vaccinated in order to keep their jobs? Or not? First, people who work in nursing homes around the elderly?
79% Require Vaccine
13% Do Not Require
8% Not Sure
Doctors, nurses, and others who work in hospitals and have frequent contact with patients?
79% Require Vaccine
14% Do Not Require
6% Not Sure
Police officers?
68% Require Vaccine
20% Do Not Require
12% Not Sure
Firefighters?
67% Require Vaccine
22% Do Not Require
11% Not Sure
EMS workers and paramedics?
78% Require Vaccine
16% Do Not Require
6% Not Sure
People who work in K-12 schools?
76% Require Vaccine
17% Do Not Require
7% Not Sure
Government employees who have regular contact with the general public?
75% Require Vaccine
17% Do Not Require
8% Not Sure
Government employees who do not have regular contact with the general public ?
52% Require Vaccine
33% Do Not Require
15% Not Sure
Should private employers have the legal right to require their employees get vaccinated?
61% Yes
26% No
12% Not Sure
Should businesses have the legal right to refuse service to people who are not vaccinated?
54% Yes
32% No
14% Not Sure
Should businesses have the legal right to refuse service to people who are not wearing masks?
74% Yes
20% No
6% Not Sure
Should teachers in K-12 schools be required to wear masks?
77% Yes
16% No
7% Not Sure
Should children in K-12 schools be required to wear masks?
75% Yes
18% No
7% Not Sure
Have you been partially vaccinated against the Coronavirus? Fully vaccinated? Or have you not been vaccinated?
12% Partially
64% Fully
22% Not Vaccinated
3% Not Sure
Do you plan to get vaccinated for the Coronavirus?
24% Yes
56% No
20% Not Sure
How likely are you to receive an additional COVID vaccination as a booster shot when one is available to you?
16% Already Received Booster
66% Very Likely To Receive
9% Somewhat Likely
4% Somewhat Unlikely
3% Very Unlikely
3% Not Sure