Evanston Poll: Majority Uncomfortable With Outdoor Events, Dining

EVANSTON, IL — A majority of Evanston Patch readers who responded to a recent Patch poll said they were not comfortable dining out as the state entered Phase 4 of the governor's "Restore Illinois" coronavirus reopening plan. Self-identified Evanstonian respondents to the unscientific survey were dramatically less likely then their North Shore neighbors to say state officials are reopening too slowly.

More than 56 percent said they wanted no part of in-person dining, whether outdoors or inside. Just over 9 percent of respondents were comfortable eating indoors at restaurants, which began opening indoor dining areas at up to 25 percent capacity on Friday.

Locally, nearly 45 percent of people who took the poll said the the pace of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's multi-phase reopening plan was moving too fast. Almost 37 said it was going at the right pace. Only about 1 percent said restrictions were being lifted to slowly, compared to an average of about 10 percent across all communities polled.

"It's too fast. Schools should not be reopening," one rader said. "I feel like everything was done well until now and now the governor is bowing to pressure."

Nearly three out of every for Evanston Patch readers to respond said they will not change their behavior as the state enters its new phase of reopening. Less than 11 percent said they would.

Readers expressed concern about Illinois opening up as coronavirus infection rates increase elsewhere. Several respondents advocated restrictions on people arriving from other states.

"Illinois here come a long way in controlling the virus. I would like to see Illinois require a 14 day quarantine for people traveling from the states who have not gotten the virus under control. The numbers are alarming in many of the Southern [and] Western states right now. The virus does not remain in one location," one respondent commented. "If people from heavily hit areas are allowed to travel freely, we could see a reverse trend in Illinois. Europe is banning travelers from the US this summer for that very reason."

"As a state, and as a city, we've done well at getting the coronavirus under some sort of control, but the dramatic increase in cases in the south and west is terrifying," said another. "I don't want to keep the state or Evanston shut down, but the way people congregate at beaches, in bars and restaurants is frightening. I intend to live as I have since March for the next month at least to see how things go."

Opinion was split among Evanston Patch readers with children at home as to levels of comfort sending youngsters back to school or child care. One in five said they were ready. Almost half said they were not, and nearly one in three said "not yet."

Residents also provided feedback and suggestions for changes to the way the state is reopening. Many advocated strict enforcement of mask requirements.

"The state can do whatever it likes, but it should still require that face masks be worn in all public places," one reader said. "Considering how lax people are about social distancing outdoors, they should be recommending that people wear them any time they're outside unless they're in their own yards."

Another reader called for limits on the number of people at beaches.

"Masks mandatory at all outdoor events, people are NOT distancing in Evanston anymore," they warned. "Older high risk people are the only ones paying attention and the second wave is coming."

When it comes to other newly permitted activities, a majority of poll respondents remained unready.

Nearly 79 percent were not comfortable going to a fitness center, with less than 15 percent saying they were.

Likewise, more than four out of five respondents said they would be uncomfortable returning to a cinema or other indoor entertainment event, while less than one in four said they would be comfortable attending outdoor entertainment like concerts or sporting events.