Monday Block 3

Monday Block 3

>> finally today, we wanted to check in with the u.s. census one last time to see how things are going and when the 2020 census will officially wrap up.

Joining us, the regional manager with the u.s. census is bureau and good to see i again.

>> good to see you too.

>> you're in the home stretch right now.

>> yes, we are.

This is really crunch time.

>> yes, and when do you think the census is expected to wrap up their duties.

>> we're scheduled to complete all field operations september 30th.

So just a few weeks away, it's closer than we think.

>> it really is, and we're looking at the numbers, and can you talk about how many people have participated and how many more need to answer their doors or go online.

>> we publish every day to show how many have self responded but what we don't show is the number that have responded with the enumerator when we come to the door, because we must get to 100%, so when you look at places like dorchester that have the third highest response rate in the state and higher than the national average, that means you're percent of followup is smaller, and in the field, people have been cooperative, and they understand that we have multiple priorities and they need to complete their forms and they have not done so.

So right now, we're urging them to do one of three things.

Cooperate with the enumerator that comes to your door, respond online at my 2020 census.gov or respond my phone with the representative at (844) 330-2020 any time from 7 a.m.

To 2 a.m.

In the morning.

>> that's a good number.

It's very easy too.

So if someone knocks on your door to ask you questions, and these are questions that you don't know the answer to, it's all about you, and simple and quick and how long is each visit.

>> if you know everyone's name in the household and you have it spelled correctly and you have the birth dates handy, which you do, the interview can be very short.

And people enjoying part of the civic ceremony.

And we conduct the interviews outside, and our staff is not allowed to enter the home.

>> and all wear masks and you maintain social distancing, and there's no risk to anyone's health by answering the door too.

But is there any chance of the census going through october where we don't see things wrapped up by the end of september?

>> our instructions wrap up by september 30th and until that changes, that's what we're working toward,.

>> and finally, can you tell people why it's so important to answer the sense us and fill it out and send it?

>> it's about two things.

Representation and resource.

And in order to get the resource, you need the representation.

To determine how many seats in congress it gets, and every state wants all of them.

But it doesn't work that way.

The more the population, the more chances of getting the seats, and making sure that the pipeline is wide.

The pipeline of resources, $670 billion with a b.

And here we are in the middle of huricane season and a pandemic, and back to school.

So resources for infrastructure and million repeatedness and emergency recovery, healthcare, education, senior services, social services, including unemployment benefits, veterans services, more than 140 programs. >> wow.

That are i'll say stickily dependent.

And these numbers mean something.

>> sure.

>> yes.

>> answer the door.

>> yes!

>> answer the door, and one last thing, if you can just tell people how they can recognize an actual bonified census taker if they're opening their door to strangers?

>> absolutely.

We contacted the police departments to look out for our staff.

And they will have a photo idea issued by the census bureau, the department of commerce, and they will have a black back that's distinctive with census bureau embossed in blue, and they will have a visit card at your door, and they must have on a mask and must conduct the interview outside of your home.

>> perfect, and thank you for is sharing with us.

>> and thank you for always being a great 2020 census partner.

>> absolutely, and you were doing an enormous job and we appreciate