To the Editor:
New this year, the census can be completed online. It is available in 13 languages, including Portuguese. It takes about 10 minutes or less to answer 10 questions.
Your responses on the 2020 Census are only used for statistics that determine local funding and representation. By law, specifically under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, any identifiable information cannot be released to law enforcement agencies. It can only be used for statistical purposes and no other purpose.
Also, all data entered online are encrypted to protect personal privacy. Once the data are received by the U.S. Census Bureau, they are no longer online. These are in keeping with the standard of cyber security by the U.S. Census Bureau cybersecurity program.
To top it off, any violation of these protective measures has a penalty of up to $250K and/or up to 5 years in prison. All U.S. Census Bureau staff take a lifetime oath to protect your information.
You have 10 minutes to spare? Do your census online at my2020census.gov and be counted! #MVCounts
Jean Cabonce
MVC Complete Count Committee
Census Outreach Coordinator
West Tisbury
Unfortunately, all the mailed census forms were directed to physical/residence addresses, so it is very unlikely that most of us will receive them by mail. PLEASE take a few minutes to go the census website and fill it out online, so that Dukes County will get counted accurately and fully!
Thank you, Jean. Very helpful explanation. Yes, please, please fill this out, everyone. The coronavirus crisis should highlight how important it is to have an accurate picture of our community.
Please explain the relationship of coronavirus to census.
Accurate census data is vital for the allocation of billions of dollars in federal funding. This money helps support hospitals, nutritional programs, and emergency efforts. Rural communities often miss out the most due to their populations being undercounted.
This census will also be used to determine the number of people in the U.S. who need vaccines:
https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-effects-census-count-vaccine-2020-4