The 2020 Census - how much of an impact will COVID-19 have on responses?

[KewlKat]

We just got our census info on the 19th and the deadline to respond is 1 April. I know it’s encouraging everyone to respond online but there are many who have no way at home to respond and now the libraries in many areas are now closed thru April. They do say if you’re unable to file online they can mail a hard copy in a few weeks.

I can’t help but think we will miss many citizens due to the method of collection, the pandemic and the immigrants that fear repercussions.

There’s a lot at stake - federal funds for local communities, determining the number of seats each state gets in the House and representation at all levels of government.

With all the media coverage this past month and going forward on the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s not been much emphasis on ensuring we all get counted.

Anyone else think we’ll be extremely under counted?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. My elderly mother, who's on lockdown at her retirement complex, won't do it on her own.

I can't get in there to input her data and if I called and asked her her code number from the mailing she probably wouldn't be able to locate it. I imagine there are hundreds more like her just in that place.

[KewlKat]

2. Hope she stays well. It must be very hard to have her kept from you.

Thanks for sharing.

[thesquanderer]

3. I was also thinking about the canvassers who go door-to-door,

who can be key in getting to many of those who would otherwise tend to be most poorly represented. Thinking about the situation New York is in right now, having some stranger go from one door to the next in a neighborhood sounds like a very bad idea, even if the process is excluded from any "stay in place" style lockdowns, and even if you could get people willing it do it.

[KewlKat]

4. info from news on the 18th of March

The U.S. Census Bureau said Wednesday it’s suspending all field operations for the 2020 count until April 1 on coronavirus concerns.

The bureau will continue to evaluate all 2020 Census operations during the pause, according to a statement released Wednesday in Washington. Americans can continue to respond online or via phone.

“The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone going through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions,” U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham said in the statement.

[thesquanderer]

5. I also just saw that they're extending the deadline for response to mid August. n/t