2020 Census Field Operations Resume in Alabama with Census Employees Following Strict Public Health Guidelines

By Jim Murray | Business, Science and Technology Department, Central Library

Last week the U.S. Census Bureau announced that field operations for the 2020 Census would resume in several states, including Alabama. These operations, which had begun on March 15, were temporarily suspended on March 18 due to concerns about COVID-19. This resumption of activities is the first step of the Bureau’s gradual, phased-in approach to fulfilling its decennial mission of getting a complete and accurate count of the population.

On May 6 Census Bureau staffers began dropping off packets at households in Alabama that normally receive mail at a P.O. Box rather than at their residence. The packets include a paper 2020 Census questionnaire that can be completed and returned, as well as an invitation to self-respond by phone or online. The Bureau refers to this operation as “Update Leave” because Bureau employees are instructed to leave a questionnaire packet at the front door of the residence and also update their records regarding the physical location of the residence. These types of residences constitute a little over 3% of all households in the state and most are located in rural areas.

The U.S. Census Bureau is quick to point out that all upcoming field operations, including Update Leave, will be conducted in adherence to strict federal health and safety guidelines. Update Leave does not require face-to-face interaction between employees and residents. Instead, the Bureau employees will be mindful of social distancing and simply drop off the questionnaire packets at the front door of each residence. In addition, all employees engaged in Census field operations will be issued a new pair of gloves each day and a new protective mask every ten days. They will also be carrying an ample supply of hand sanitizer.  

So, as the U.S. Census Bureau restarts field operations to complete its objective, let’s do our part as a community and renew our commitment to encouraging all Birmingham households complete the 2020 Census questionnaire. Responding to the questionnaire is safe, easy, and takes, on average, only 10 minutes. You can quickly access the online questionnaire by going to the Birmingham Public Library’s Birmingham Counts! webpage.

Take advantage of this opportunity that only comes around every ten years and do what you can to make sure that Birmingham Counts!