NORC poll: Trump treatment of virus a 'new' low

With vember election 99 days away, more Americans say country is heing in wrong direction than at any previous point in Donald Trump's presidency, putting incumbent in a tough position as his reelection bid against Democrat Joe Biden enters a  crucial stretch.

A new poll from Associated Press-RC Center for Public Affairs Research finds Trump's approval for his handling of COVID-19 pandemic falling to a new low, with just 32% of Americans supportive of his approach. Even Trump's standing on ecomy, long high water mark for president, has fallen over past few months after seeming ascendant earlier this year.

Those political hewinds have sparked a sudden summer shift in White House and Trump campaign. After spending months playing down pandemic and largely igring virus' resurgence in several states, Trump warned this past week that situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. After repeatedly minimizing importance of wearing masks to limit spre of virus, Trump urged Americans to do exactly that.

"He finds himself on wrong side on a lot of a lot of se issues that voters are going to be taking with m into voting booth or at ir kitchen table when y fill out ir mail-in ballot to vote in vember election," Associtaed Press White House correspondent Darlene Superville says.

Trump's abrupt about-face underscores reality of situation he faces just over three months from Election Day. Even as he tries to refocus his contest with Biden on divisive cultural issues and an omius "law and order" mess, Trump's reelection prospects are likely to be inextricably linked to his handling of pandemic and wher voters believe country will he back in right direction under his leership.

AP-RC poll makes clear challenge ahe for Trump on that front: 8 in 10 Americans say country is heing in wrong direction. That's more than at any point since Trump took office. poll also finds just 38% of Americans say national ecomy is good, down from 67% in January, before pandemic upended most aspects of everyday life.

Biden has also benefited from Trump landing on wrong side of public in his initial reactions to pandemic.  For example, 3 in 4 Americans back requiring people to wear masks in public, which Trump initially dismissed.

Ar pandemic test for president lies ahe in August and September, as Trump and his ministration aggressively try to sell a skeptical public on reopening schools. poll finds that about third of Americans are opposed entirely to idea, while close to half say major justments to instruction will be required.

Overall, 38% of Americans approve of president's job performance — well within narrow range that Trump's approval ratings have stayed throughout this presidency, but down slightly from earlier this year before pandemic. Most Republicans — 81% — approve of Trump's job performance, but just 68% of Republicans support his handling of pandemic.