Will Coronavirus Impact the 2020 Census?

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With more than 300 million people to count accurately, the 2020 census was always going to be a massive undertaking. The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus could add another challenge to that process.

This week, most American households will start to receive in the mail their invitations to complete their census surveys, either online, by phone or through the mail. Because these options don't involve person-to-person contact, a high rate of early compliance would seemingly lessen any noticeable effect of COVID-19 as the 2020 census starts.

But if the outbreak lasts until early May — when the people who work as enumerators start going door-to-door to complete the forms in person with folks who haven't already done so — the bureau will need to balance concerns about public health with its mission to complete the count.

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