The spreading coronavirus has suspended Census field operations.
Ensuring an accurate count, the bureau is shifting how its workers fulfill their mission.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused U.S. Census Bureau to suspend all field operations for the 2020 census until April 1. That’s according to a statement from the agency. For Grand Rapids field workers, this means more phone calls and fewer in person visits.
“We do a lot of our work, as much as we can, one-on-one, from home, remotely but we haven’t come to a complete stop as of yet because there’s still work to be done.”
That’s Kathi Harris. She’s the census coordinator for the City of Grand Rapids. She says Census 2020 efforts are moving to a phone bank beginning on Monday.
“Calling as many people as possible to remind them to do the census online.”
The goal right now is to make sure those with a computer and a smart phone fill out the census.
“So we are trying to get as many people to complete it now so that work doesn’t double or triple or it won’t be as much work when they start working. We plan on them being counted one way or the other.”
Households across the state can respond to the census online at my2020census.gov, over the phone or by returning forms by mail.