The U.S. Census Bureau is shifting its messaging in the wake of the increasing damage and threat of COVID-19. Instead of just reminding people to take part in the decennial count, they are reminding people they can take part in the decennial count from home.
In a series of statements in recent days, the bureau said the count will continue with some changes and people should respond online, by phone or by mail. To fill out online, citizens will need the Census ID that they should have received in the mail.
As of Wednesday, 27% of state households as well as households in Hamilton County, have responded to the census, according to data from the bureau. Tennessee’s response rate so far outpaces the national rate of 26%. The count every decade determines the allocation of $1.5 trillion of federal spending across the country, including to schools, hospitals and emergency responders.
Households throughout the region should have received their Census forms in the past two weeks. People who do not respond are likely to be visited in-person by census workers in May. However, with social distancing guidelines and the increasing number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus, just how this will be done is uncertain.
On March 18, Bureau Director Steven Dillingham announced field operations would be suspended until April 1 and the bureau would evaluate future operations, including how to do in-person surveys without putting workers or the public at risk.