Fifty-two percent of Americans think a public health emergency should still be in effect for COVID-19, according to a new survey from Morning Consult.
Morning Consult conducted the survey from Dec. 14-19 with 2,210 adults, posting the question, "In your opinion, do you think a public health emergency should be in effect currently for COVID-19?"
Responses broke down as follows:
- Yes, definitely: 23 percent
- Yes, probably: 29 percent
- No, probably not: 21 percent
- No, definitely not: 17 percent
- Don't know or no opinion: 10 percent
HHS last renewed the federal PHE in October for another increment of 90 days — until January 11 — with the pledge to provide states with 60 days' notice if it decided to terminate the declaration or allow it to expire. Since those 60 days came and went without notice, states are operating under the assumption the PHE will be renewed for another 90 days and expire in April, unless extended again.
Last week, 25 governors sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting the end of the COVID-19 PHE in April.