Census workers go door-to-door in the Lehigh Valley amid pandemic concerns

Census workers go door-to-door in the Lehigh Valley amid pandemic concerns

By Genesis Ortega

August 11, 2020

More than half of all households in the United States have already responded to the 2020 Census – and those numbers are significantly higher in the Lehigh Valley – at around 73 percent. Those who haven’t responded can expect an in-person visit – with new protocols related to COVID-19.

Philadelphia-based supervisory partnership specialist Steven Shope says the census operation is sending enumerators to the doorstep of every household that’s missing information – and they’ll make at least six attempts. 

Additional measures have been put in place to protect those workers and the families they visit. 

“All of our employees in the field will wear masks, they’ll observe social distancing, they’ll never enter anyone’s home. And they’ll be able to conduct that survey with them right there on their doorstep while preserving their own health and safety as well as that of the respondents.”

Shope adds that census workers also won’t ask whether there are any active COVID cases in the home – or whether there’s a quarantine situation.

Those hoping to avoid an in-person visit, can still respond to the Census online, by phone, or by mail. 

Listen to all episodes of our Census 2020: Why It Matters Series where we talked to experts in the Lehigh Valley.

Go to pa.gov.census to learn more about the 2020 Census and how to participate online.

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