Axios-Ipsos Poll: Minds Not Changed After Trump's COVID Diagnosis

Americans are saying they are more likely to take precautions against the spread of coronavirus in the wake of President Donald Trump's diagnosis, but there is not any evidence that attitudes toward the president himself have changed, according to the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index. 

The latest poll was taken from Oct. 1-5 and included the weekend when Trump was hospitalized for COVID-19. It suggested attitudes about the president are deeply settled and even a shock such as his diagnosis could not change them, reports Axios.

"America is so polarized and this is so crystallized, there's no budging things," said Cliff Young, president of Ipsos U.S. Public Affairs. "This isn't about persuading anyone anymore. Now it's just about getting people out to the polls."

The poll was based on a national probability sample of 1,004 adults 18 and older and has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points.

Among the poll's findings:

• 21% of the respondents said they'd be more likely to wear a mask in the wake of the news of Trump's diagnosis, including 15% who said they'd be much more likely to do so.
• 21% said they'd be more likely to stay six feet from other people.
• 12% said they'd be more likely to wear gloves. 
• 23% said they're less likely to trust Trump to give accurate COVID-19 information. 
• 17% said they'd be more likely to trust him. 
• 6 out of 10 said the news didn't change their minds on Trump. 

The survey also found that Americans are more willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine after it has been on the market for a few months and doesn't show bad effects:

• 30% said they'd be likely to get the first-generation vaccine as soon as it's available.
• 69% said they're not likely to take it that soon.
• 55% said they'd be likely to get it after it has been on the market for a few months.
• 65% said they would likely get it after it's proven safe and effective, with 34% saying that's not likely. 
• 18% said they are likely to take the vaccine if it's released before the presidential election, but 82% said they are not. 

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