BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Most New Yorkers are in favor of vaccine and masking mandates, according to a new Siena College Poll, released Tuesday morning.
Voters polled showed strong support for public schools requiring teachers and staff to be vaccinated (69-26); businesses such as gyms and restaurants requiring proof of vaccination (66-32); and employers requiring employees to be vaccinated (65-31).
"The overwhelming majority of New Yorkers support mandates on vaccines and masks," said pollster Steve Greenberg. "Should employers be allowed to mandate vaccines for their employees? 65 to 31, New Yorkers say yes," he said. "Should schools require vaccines for teachers and staff? 69-26 yes. Should businesses such as gyms and restaurants require customers to show proof of vaccination? 66-32 yes."
When it comes to masks, support is even greater. "74 percent support government requiring masks in indoor venues. By the biggest margin, 78-18, New Yorkers support school districts requiring masks on teachers, staff and students in school," said Greenberg.
Breaking it down even further, 89 percent of Democrats, 76 percent of Independents and 57 percent of Republicans support masks in school.
Geographically, 88 percent of voters in New York City, 72% in downstate suburbs, and 72 percent of voters upstate (including Western New York)
support mandatory masks in school.
Seven hundred registered voters were polled between September 7 and September 12. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.2 percentage points.
