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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
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This comic is another comic in a [[:Category:COVID-19|series of comics]] related to the {{w|COVID-19 pandemic}}.
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{{incomplete|Created by an ONLINE POLL. Explanations are needed for each poll. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
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This comic, another comic in the [[:Category:COVID-19|series of comics]] related to the {{w|2019–20 coronavirus outbreak|2020 COVID-19 pandemic}}, compares opinion polling of COVID-19 related topics to polling of other, unrelated topics. Opinion among Americans is remarkably unanimous on necessary measures concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, at least as asked in the polls (different people may have different ideas of what they consider "big sporting events" or "damage to the economy"). To put this unanimity in perspective, polls on other topics are shown with similar but slightly smaller high percentages of unanimity but on extremely uncontroversial questions{{Citation needed}} like liking apple pie or Tom Hanks, or the importance of elections to democracy.
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The comic compares opinion polling of COVID-19 related topics to polling of other, mostly unrelated topics. The American public often tends to be sharply divided about major political and social issues, but polling shows that the country is remarkably united about the dangers posed by the COVID-19 and the measures necessary to prevent its spread.  This is notable, because responses to this pandemic have significant political and economic implications, which usually results in major division and distrust. The poll results also contradict the extensive news coverage of notable anti-lockdown protests prominent in many major cities; by implication, this comic is arguing that such protests are unrepresentative and disproportionately covered. Or else that this vocal and demonstrative minority is [https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/apr/20/photograph-healthcare-workers-confronted-anti-lockdown-protesters-denver almost] the only group making their opinion public in such a newsworthy manner.
 
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To put these majority opinions in perspective, polls on other topics are shown with similar but slightly smaller high percentages of likemindedness but on extremely uncontroversial questions{{Citation needed}} such as liking apple pie or Tom Hanks, or the importance of elections to democracy.
 
  
 
The title text refers to the chapter "How To Win an Election" in Munroe's book ''[[How To|How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems]]'', in which a similar set of near-unanimous survey questions are shown for prospecting candidates to support, or, alternately, oppose, thus guaranteeing their popularity or lack thereof.  To see what this politician's speeches might have looked like, we can look at FiveThirtyEight's "perfect stump speeches" that espouse only opinions held by a majority of [https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/republican-stump-speech/ Republicans] or [https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/democratic-stump-speech/ Democrats].
 
The title text refers to the chapter "How To Win an Election" in Munroe's book ''[[How To|How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems]]'', in which a similar set of near-unanimous survey questions are shown for prospecting candidates to support, or, alternately, oppose, thus guaranteeing their popularity or lack thereof.  To see what this politician's speeches might have looked like, we can look at FiveThirtyEight's "perfect stump speeches" that espouse only opinions held by a majority of [https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/republican-stump-speech/ Republicans] or [https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/democratic-stump-speech/ Democrats].
  
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The polls cited in this comic are all linked at [http://xkcd.com/2305/sources http://xkcd.com/2305/sources].
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The polls cited in this comic are all linked at http://xkcd.com/2305/sources.
  
  
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|86%
 
|86%
 
|"Stay-at-home orders are responsible government policies that are saving lives" rather than "an over-reaction"
 
|"Stay-at-home orders are responsible government policies that are saving lives" rather than "an over-reaction"
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|Due to the easy spread of COVID-19, many US states enacted "{{w|stay-at-home order}}s", which require residents to stay at home, except for "essential" tasks or working in "essential" businesses. The specifics of these orders, and how they are enforced, vary from state to state.  Some Americans have protested these orders as being "an over-reaction" (e.g. believing that the adverse effects of business closures are worse than they believe COVID-19 to be), and some of their protests have received lots of media attention, but according to this poll, they are in the minority, and the general concept that the stay-at-home orders are necessary appears to have broad support.
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|Due to the easy spread of COVID-19, many US states enacted "{{w|stay-at-home order}}s", which require residents to stay at home, except for "essential" tasks or working in "essential" businesses. The definition of "essential" has varied from state to state.  
 
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|-
 
|85%
 
|85%
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|91%
 
|91%
 
|Opposition to resuming big sporting events
 
|Opposition to resuming big sporting events
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|{{w|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports|Sporting events have been largely cancelled}}, with only a few sporting leagues remaining open.  Some have attempted to transition into [[2291: New Sports System|online or virtual leagues]].
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|{{w|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports|Sporting events have been largely cancelled}}, with only a few sporting leagues remaining open.   
 
|-
 
|-
 
|85%
 
|85%
 
|Trust in local health officials and health care workers
 
|Trust in local health officials and health care workers
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|Health officials have been providing guidelines for how to "reopen" the United States. Most Americans seem to trust their local health officials to understand the situation in their area and make good decisions, although [https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/axios-ipsos-coronavirus-index according to the same poll], they do not trust the federal government nearly as much (66% of Republicans, 28% of Democrats).  Meanwhile, health care workers have been lauded as heroes for their work to save people affected by COVID-19, often at their own risk of infection.
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|Health officials have been providing guidelines for how to "reopen" the United States. Meanwhile, health care workers have been lauded as heroes for their work to save people affected by COVID-19, often at their own risk of infection.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|93%
 
|93%
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|81%
 
|81%
 
|Americans should continue to social distance even if it means continued damage to the economy
 
|Americans should continue to social distance even if it means continued damage to the economy
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|Due to various factors, the world economy has entered a {{w|Coronavirus recession|global economic recession}}. This poll question indicates that many Americans are more concerned with defeating the virus, even at the expense of the American economy.
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|Due to various factors, the world economy has entered a {{w|Coronavirus recession|global economic recession}}. This poll question indicates that many Americans are more concerned about defeating the virus, even at significant damage to the American economy.
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Other polls
 
! colspan="3" | Other polls
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|81%
 
|81%
 
|Enjoy apple pie
 
|Enjoy apple pie
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|{{w|Apple pie}} is an unofficial symbol of the United States and is considered one of America's favorite desserts.
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|{{w|Apple pie}} is an unofficial symbol of the United States and is considered one of America's favorite desserts.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|76%
 
|76%
 
|Feel positively about kittens
 
|Feel positively about kittens
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|Kittens are almost universally considered to be adorable.  76% approval is actually lower than most of these possibly due to the responsibility involved in caring for kittens, and the fact that they grow into adult cats (which some people don't like).
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|Who doesn't like {{w|kitten}}s? (apparently 24% of Americans don't.)
 
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|-
 
|84%
 
|84%
 
|Have a favorable impression of Tom Hanks
 
|Have a favorable impression of Tom Hanks
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|{{w|Tom Hanks}} is an American actor, widely regarded as being both talented and highly likeable. He is famous for his many starring film roles over a long career, including in ''{{w|Forrest Gump}}'', ''{{w|Apollo 13}}'', and ''{{w|Saving Private Ryan}}''. xkcd has referred to Mr. Hanks' near universal popularity in [[2003: Presidential Succession]].  In March 2020, Hanks announced that he and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19, making them among the first public figures to acknowledge being infected (they have since recovered).
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|{{w|Tom Hanks}} is a universally beloved actor, famous for his many starring roles, including in ''{{w|Forrest Gump}}'', ''{{w|Apollo 13}}'', and ''{{w|Saving Private Ryan}}''.  
 
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|-
 
|89%
 
|89%
 
|Fair elections are important to democracy
 
|Fair elections are important to democracy
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|Public elections are one of America's foundational values.  (Though there is disagreement about whether the American system should be termed a "democracy" or a "republic"). Agreeing that elections should be fair is fundamental enough to the American mindset that few people would openly disagree with.
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|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|86%
 
|86%
 
|Feel positively toward Betty White
 
|Feel positively toward Betty White
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|{{w|Betty White}} is an American comedic actress who was 98 years old at the time of publishing. She has been a fixture in American television since the 1950's, and continues to act, well into her 90's. Her career has included primary roles multiple well-regarded series, including ''{{w|The Mary Tyler Moore Show}}'', ''{{w|The Golden Girls}}'', and many others. The combination of her very long career and appealing personality has made her widely beloved in the US, and very few people have a negative opinion of her.  
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|{{w|Betty White}} is a beloved actress who was 98 years old at the time of publishing. She is known for her many television roles, including in ''{{w|The Mary Tyler Moore Show}}'' and ''{{w|The Golden Girls}}''.  
 
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|-
 
|86%
 
|86%
 
|Do not trust Kim Jong-Un to do the right thing
 
|Do not trust Kim Jong-Un to do the right thing
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|{{w|Kim Jong-Un}} is the dictator of {{w|North Korea}} at the time of publishing. North Korea is known as an exceptionally repressive society with little respect for human rights, scoring at or near the bottom of most indices for human rights and freedom. Kim, like his predecessors, is considered to be both unpredictable and brutal in his leadership. Additionally, North Korea tends to be a wily political operator, and the United States, in particular, tends to view Kim's actions with a great deal of suspicion.  
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|{{w|Kim Jong-Un}} is the dictator of {{w|North Korea}} at the time of publishing. Kim, along with his predecessors, is considered an enigmatic leader and unpredictable.
 
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|-
 
|64%
 
|64%
 
|Concerned about "murder hornets"
 
|Concerned about "murder hornets"
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|The {{w|Asian giant hornet}}, nicknamed the "murder hornet", is a large hornet native to Asia. It was found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States in late 2019, but its discovery was widely publicized May 2020. The murder hornet was given its nickname due to its painful sting, and its predation of honey bees.  Some have criticized the media coverage as [https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets/trapping excessive and possibly harmful] to the native hornets and other pollinators in other parts of the US, so maybe Randall is including this poll to show that the population generally has its concerns correctly prioritized (i.e. less concerned about "murder hornets" than they are concerned about COVID-19 or endeared towards kittens).
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|The {{w|Asian giant hornet}}, nicknamed the "murder hornet", is a large hornet native to Asia. It was found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States in late 2019, but its discovery was widely publicized May 2020. The murder hornet was given its nickname due to its painful sting, and its predation of honey bees.
 
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==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
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:[A panel only with text. At the top there is three paragraphs of explanatory text. Below that is a paragraph in smaller gray font with link to sources. Below that there are two columns of poll results, each with a heading. There are six polls in the left and seven polls in the right column. Instead of a bulleted list, each poll has its percent that agrees given to the left of the statement, which is thus aligned to the right of this percentage. At the end of each statement there is a reference in brackets in gray font.]
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:[A panel only with text. At the top there is three paragraphs of explanatory text. Below that is a paragraph in smaller gray font with link to sources. Below that there are two columns of poll results, each with a heading. Six polls in the left and seven polls in the right column. Instead of a bullet list, each poll has it's percent that agrees given to the left of the statement, which is thus aligned to the right of this percentage. At the end of each statement there is a reference in brackets in gray font.]
 
:It's hard to get people to agree on '''''anything''''' in polls.
 
:It's hard to get people to agree on '''''anything''''' in polls.
 
:But we agree about the coronavirus.
 
:But we agree about the coronavirus.
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[[Category:Animals]]
 
[[Category:Animals]]
 
[[Category:How To]]
 
[[Category:How To]]
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[[Category:Book promotion]]
 

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