A substantial majority of Americans say remaining at home to combat the coronavirus’ spread is more important than returning to work in a bid to jump-start the cratering U.S. economy, according to a new survey.

A CBS News poll published Thursday reports that 70 percent of respondents believe the country’s top priority should be to “try to slow the spread of coronavirus by keeping people home and social distancing, even if the economy is hurt in the short term.”


Only 30 percent think the top national priority should instead be to “try to get the economy going by sending people back to work, even if it means more people might be exposed to coronavirus.”