COVID-19

COVID-19: Pandemic Response from Kansas Counts

2020 Census Operational Updates

The U.S. Census Bureau continues to carefully monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and follow the guidance of federal, state, and local health authorities. We are adjusting some operations with two key principles in mind: protecting the health and safety of our staff and the public, and fulfilling our statutory requirement to deliver the 2020 Census counts.

As of April 14, 2020, The Census Bureau temporarily suspended 2020 Census field data collection activities in March. Steps are already being taken to reactivate field offices beginning June 1, 2020, in preparation for the resumption of field data collection operations as quickly as possible following June 1. 

In-person activities, including all interaction with the public, enumeration, office work and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance to promote the health and safety of staff and the public. This will include recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing practices.

Once 2020 Census data collection is complete, the Census Bureau begins a lengthy, thorough and scientifically rigorous process to produce the apportionment counts, redistricting information and other statistical data products that help guide hundreds of billions of dollars in public and private sector spending per year.

In order to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau is seeking statutory relief from Congress of 120 additional calendar days to deliver final apportionment counts.

Under this plan, the Census Bureau would extend the window for field data collection and self-response to October 31, 2020, which will allow for apportionment counts to be delivered to the President by April 30, 2021, and redistricting data to be delivered to the states no later than July 31, 2021. Learn more at the updated Census Bureau Operational Timeline.

Coronavirus and Census Talking Points

• Public health and safety is absolutely critical at this moment of uncertainty. That is the case for the public as well as Census Counts organizations, staff, and volunteers.

• But we must fulfill our constitutional obligation to complete the 2020 Census and count every single person in the United States. Our country’s future depends on it.

• Fortunately, it has never been easier and more accessible to respond to the census on your own — online, over the phone, or by mail. All without having to meet someone in person.

• Census 2020 is a modern, technology-enabled process that was designed precisely to offer multiple ways to respond. The Census Bureau is able to make necessary adaptations at the local level for special operations as well, as needed.

• By now, many households have received an invitation in the mail to complete the census. This was planned and continued uninterrupted by the coronavirus.

• The census website my2020Census.gov is live and can accept your response (in English and 12 non English languages by calling phone questionnaire assistance.

• The Census Bureau, alongside the hundreds of organizations in the Census Counts Coalition, are prepared and are continuing to do everything possible to accurately complete the census.

• Right now, our priority is clear: Making sure that as many people as possible complete the census online, by phone, or by mail. It has never been easier to self-report.

How You Can Safely Promote Census Response

Here are some of the many ways you can safely promote the 2020 Census:

• Post a blog or video message from your leadership encouraging census response.
• Send notices to your employees and email lists to encourage response. Leverage collaboration platforms, employee resource groups, text messages, and customer bills and receipts.
• Host a webinar or teleconference to share census information and answer questions.
• Write letters to the editor or op-eds on why census participation is important, particularly to support challenges like the coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Provide free advertising opportunities to promote the 2020 Census.
• Actively monitor, fact check, and correct census misinformation on social networks.