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(WFTV.com News Staff)

Updated: March 12, 2020 – 3:34 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Census Bureau said it’s monitoring the threat of the coronavirus to determine if and how census workers will show up at people’s doors to get them to fill out the survey if the mailed notices are ignored.

Three notices will be mailed out to tell people to fill out the 9-question form online and a fourth mailing will include the actual form if people prefer to do it on paper instead.
It’s only if all of these options are ignored that workers will start going door to door starting in mid-May.

“That can all be avoided simply by self-responding,” said Dr. Steven Dillingham, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Dillingham said the bureau is monitoring health agencies.

“We’re looking at the latest advice,” Dillingham said. “We monitor the federal agencies. We’re monitoring the CDC, the state health officials as well as the local officials. We will adapt to whatever the best health and medical advice is at that time so we can do it very safely. We can leave packets. We don’t have to go into houses.”

Why you don’t need to panic about coronavirus

Some people had concerns about the possibility of workers going door to door.

“Would I open the door? I don’t know,” said Sonny Sattar, Washington D.C. resident.

“It’s definitely a concern especially with the pandemic spreading and everything,” Washington D.C. resident Dylan Groff said.
The census determines billions of dollars in funding for our roads, school, hospitals and more.

It also determines Congressional and legislative districts.

“We’re really encouraging people please respond as soon as possible,” Dillingham said.

Dillingham said if workers do show up to your door, you can verify their identity by checking their credentials.