In the wake of the move by a single activist Trump judge to end the federal mask requirement on mass transit, we saw media footage of people cheering on planes and trains, tossing aside their masks and reveling in the freedom they’ve so long been denied. Clearly, this must mean Americas think this was long overdue, and that public health officials are authoritarian scolds who want to crush our pulmonary liberty.
Except that’s actually not true. Polls show that while some people feel that way, most Americans have a more measured view of this question. …
So why is it that Republicans act like they’re the ones with the public on their side, while Democrats act timid and ashamed, as though the voters are bound to reject them if too much attention is drawn to the position they’ve taken? CONTINUED
Paul Waldman, Washington Post
The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack