Survey: Most local residents favor continued social distancing
May 23, 2020 - A new poll shows over half of Tampa Bay residents believe social distancing should continue indefinitely to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The latest findings in a poll by the Tampa Bay Partnership show 58 percent of area residents favor continued social distancing, even if it means that businesses will suffer, and jobs will be lost, a report from the Partnership said. Since May 4, when statewide stay at home orders were lifted, one-third of residents have visited a friend or family member and 30 percent have shopped inside a retail outlet. About 19 percent have visited a doctor’s/dentist’s office, with still fewer people saying they've gone to a public park, a restaurant, a public beach or a hair/nail salon, while 27 percent of residents haven’t engaged in any of the newly permitted activities at all.