Complete your census

We were happily surprised at the simpler census! Now, during a pandemic with insufficient tests and hospital beds, it’s especially important that all residents (not all citizens) are counted: babies, seniors, the homeless, homeowners, and apartment dwellers. The elderly, communities of color, refugees, non-English speakers, and the undocumented. The employed, the unemployed, the healthy, the sick, urban and rural families. College students count where they mostly live (a dorm or off campus), and a First Nations-mixed family should list the Indigenous member first to count as Indigenous.

The census is always confidential: names and addresses are stripped after the other data is taken and by law cannot be shared under penalty of stiff fines and/or imprisonment — not with your landlord (who won’t know if someone extra lives with you), not with ICE. A complete count is essential for the next ten years of our well-being since it determines funds for services (medical supplies plus roads and schools) and the number of our Representatives for when we most need help. Census data also helps businesses identify workers and hiring practices, and customers and locations. Completing the census is good for everyone.

No one wants a loved one to die from a preventable life-threatening exposure because we didn’t receive enough tests or vaccines due to an undercount. Please encourage everyone to complete the census now (before April 1 “count day” is fine) at my2020census.gov, or 844-330-2020; it could be a matter of life and death.

Judy Silverstein

Spokane