The CDC issued new guidelines late Wednesday, April 8 for essential workers who may have been exposed to the coronavirus. CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said individuals would need to be asymptomatic to return to work and take their temperature daily, among other guidelines.
Broadly, how would Americans feel about temperature checks – be it in the workplace or in public places – in the wake of the pandemic? CivicScience launched a series of surveys this morning to get a reading.
Starting off in the workplace, among working Americans 25 and older, 78% say they would be ‘very comfortable’ submitting to a temperature check in their respective jobs.
Those who have lost their jobs in the pandemic are more likely to show support for this measure, likely as a way to get back on the job.
Older workers are the most keen on the idea, with Millennials showing the most aversion.
Getting your temperature checked at work could mean employees would be permitted to return to their jobs, so majority support is not hugely surprising.
The surveys on temperature checks in public places in the wake of the pandemic show more variances, but still have overall support.
In the aftermath of the current pandemic, Americans 25+ show the most willingness to receive a temperature check when traveling. Getting one when attending a large venue event, dining out, or grabbing groceries may take more convincing, but there’s still broad support from more than half of Americans 25+.
It remains to be seen if, when, how, and where temperature checks are mandated or adopted by society in the U.S. as the ramifications of the pandemic continue. The study makes it clear that a large majority of Americans are willing to submit to temperature checks to get back to the norm.
