Monmouth poll finds New Jersey residents overwhelmingly support social distancing

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A poll from Monmouth University found New Jersey residents overwhelmingly support social distancing and some other measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The poll also found lots of support for the governor.

At least 90% of people polled agree with social distancing, wearing face masks in public and keeping bars and restaurants closed for now.

Poll director Patrick Murray said Gov. Phil Murphy is connecting with people in the state — all the face time on TV during the coronavirus updates seems to be working in his favor.

“His overall approval for everything that he’s doing is 71%— that’s up from 41% back in September,” Murray said. 

Shutting down state and county parks has been a topic of debate: Three quarters of Democrats in the state support that measure, while only about half of Republicans in New Jersey say it’s appropriate. 

The total of positive cases in New Jersey is now at 109,038 cases, with 5,938 coronavirus-related fatalities. 

Health commissioner Judy Persichelli, along with First Lady Tammy Murphy, reached out to Germany’s health minister — the governor was the U.S. ambassador to Germany in the Obama administration —  to learn how the Germans no only controlled the spread of COVID-19, but put the wheels in motion to reopen the country a little.

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KYW Newsradio's David Madden contributed to this report.