Ball State released its annual Hoosier survey last week, providing insight into how Hoosiers are dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how they view their elected leaders.

Ball State surveyed 576 adults between Nov. 15 and 25, using an online quota system to ensure the demographics of survey respondents matched those of the state. The margin of error was +/- 5.2%.

Here are some of the main takeaways:

Holcomb and Biden Approval Notes

Gov. Eric Holcomb continues to enjoy a high approval rating during his second term. Almost 63% of those polled said they approved of the work he did, while 37% said they did not approve of it. Likewise, nearly 51% of Hoosiers said they believe the state has done a good or a great job responding to COVID-19.

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Respondents viewed the federal government and President Joe Biden less favorably. Only 35% of respondents said they approve of the job he does as president, while only 38% of Hoosiers said the federal government has done a good or a great job responding to the pandemic.

Biden’s approval rating appears lower in Indiana than across the country, which isn’t all that surprising given the Republican Party’s grip on the state. The most recent Reuters / Ipsos poll found that 48% of Americans approve of Biden’s performance at work.

Masks and vaccines warrants

A majority of Hoosiers still wore masks in public at least part of the time in November, according to the survey. Of those who responded, almost 37% said they wore an all or mostly in stores or other businesses in the past month while 28% said they did it once in a while. Meanwhile, 20% said they had hardly ever worn masks in the past month and 13% said they had never worn masks.

Likewise, more Hoosiers said they favored requiring students and teachers to wear masks in schools than to oppose the measure.

On the vaccine front, just over 50% of Hoosiers said they would support a requirement for proof of vaccination to travel by air, while only 39% of those polled said they were against it. . The opposition was stronger in demanding that people be vaccinatedeat in a restaurant or attend a university.

Only 30% of Hoosiers said employers should require vaccines, 41% said they should encourage employees to get vaccinated but don’t require it, and 28% said they shouldn’t. These statistics are important as lawmakers question whether to rule the ability of private companies to mandate vaccines in the next legislative session.

In the weeks following the administration of the investigation, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increased in Indiana. As of December 15, the seven-day average of new daily cases was 4,409.

The economy

The survey also asked Hoosiers to rate how satisfied they are with Indiana’s record in attracting high-paying jobs. Of the respondents, about 18% said they were satisfied, 58% said they were somewhat satisfied, 21% said they were not too satisfied, and 4% said they were not. not at all satisfied.

Hoosiers cited improving public safety and reducing crime as a topic that should be a top priority for the state more than any other issue, followed by improving local schools, improving roads. and job creation in the state.

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at 317-432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.