Breakdown of my story

Census 2020 efforts for hard to count communities fall on damaged hearts and distracted ears.

LEDE: uses a young adult to show the contrast between two different generations and their methods of new consumption

Xiomara Hernandez released a deep sigh as panic ensues around her; her parents barking in her ears reiterating what they heard on Fox news. She begs for peace in the stress of her parent’s home.

Nut Graph: shows that the article will discuss why hard to count groups are so hard to count in the coronavirus and that linking with racial disparities in the government and other institutions.

COVID-19 has overwhelmed Americans with fear and panic. The government has made some effort in trying to support the millions of Americans under financial stress. Many have filed for unemployment as a means of survival during the quarantine. However, while the majority of those who stay home are managing, many have families of color who have fallen victim to the still mysterious COVID-19. Black and Latino families are being hit particularly hard by the coronavirus.

The CDC reports that these disparities are “due to economic and social conditions that are more common among some racial and ethnic minorities than whites.” This means that the pre-established racial biases of many government-run institutions are impacting these groups during this world pandemic.

Another article from BBC discusses how ethnic and racial minorities “have less access to economic resources” which later translates too poorer diets and in turn poorer health.

Other sources such as NPR have reported similar patterns of racial discrimination taking place in healthcare facilities. These patterns are attacking the same minority groups who are more susceptible and dying at high rates and also blocking many from receiving medical care.

Nut Graph data: there is a connection between COVID hitting the hard to count communities harder than white and Asian groups. Explain why Latinos and Blacks are struggling more than other groups.

Census workers are adjusting vigorously to target ‘hard to count’ communities which according to the USC Price Center for Social Innovation the most affected groups tend to be immigrant, black, and Latino communities who have a history of being racially victimized by the government. But are now seeing the same patterns racial bias disproportionately affected their communities in the wake of COVID-19.

Census Bureau is a government facility; the Census has struggled in the past in getting responses from these communities because many aren’t well informed on what the census is. One of the most common reasons is fear of giving personal information to the government especially in this current political climate. Many have expressed fear when sharing such private information as they have been previously victimized by the government.

Expert in the field to discuss why the census is not receiving responses based on data they already have. It also discusses the issues with the census reputation that the marketing group is working.

Patricia Ramos, who works as a part of the marketing division for the Census 2020 made clear that the census is meant to help not hurt. She addressed that although she works for the government, it’s just data for government officials to look at collectively. They are not looking at specific people. The census has made critical changes to reaching these groups to better allocate funds. Ramos says “is pacing as projected prior to the pandemic. Due to health authority mandates, all in-person efforts for the 2020 Census have been postponed until further notice, right now June 1st. Bureau employees are working from home and relying very heavily on phone, internet, social media, and video conferencing to communicate the census message to its partners and the general public in all major languages.”

Currently, the census has options in about 12 languages but intends to keep expanding their languages to reach more people. The aim is a more aggressive but accessible approach. The first part in trying to boost outreach is to dismantle that reputation because the behavior towards people of color has been consistent in one direction. This means they’re working with a somewhat complicated reputation. Ramos discussed that many have shown distrust in the government based on just misconceptions of what the census is. She says that it is hard to combat the opposition in these communities because it is so deeply ingrained in the people as the census works for the government and there has been a pattern of racial discrimination. There seems to be a lack of trust between the government and the impacted groups.

Break down of what the expert believes the most common issues and reasons for the lower response rates.

Ramos explained that one of her concerns is how much the census data can help communities who are being hit the hardest receive more resources in their communities to better deal with pandemics now and in the future. One of her goals is to make resources more accessible to people of color. Many of the areas according to the map on hardtocount2020map.org are regions that are more impacted and have less access to materials and testing — another example of racial bias in resource allocation.

Ramos said that was one of her main priorities because the more accurate count the more the census can help the communities. While the efforts haven’t stopped, census workers have had shift paradigms. The media has been sweeping the nation and most media consumption is about the coronavirus. Trying to redirect that attention in a time of fear and panic has proven to be a tough challenge.

It has not yet been confirmed whether census response rates are related to mistrust in the government is due to the current pattern of racial bias in health care workers/providers of showing preference towards the white community and the panic surrounding COVID-19. Ramos confirmed that there is no data as of yet which can confirm this as they’re still working to get responses. According to the New York Times, this has been an issue that has become recently visible in light for COVID-19 in the east coast; New York is one of many eastern regions which has been impacted.

A student who has seen patterns on mistrust in the government as a result of racial biases.

When discussing the racial disparities and the struggles of communities of color, Tamara Celis a student at California State University Northridge says “ I think that they’re trying to stay informed but still lack the knowledge of resources that may be provided and I also don’t think the media highlights what resources are available for the undocumented communities.”

There are issues in the media regarding these issues. While some outlets cover the racial aspect of the issue it is never really a discussion about the census. It rather is a discussion about how their preexisting mistrust is impacting census responses. Not many discuss the relationship between the census and the people which currently is the main hurdle. At the moment, there is a dire necessity for more accessible medical facilities and resources. According to CNN China and other countries around the world have been building more facilities to better equip and handle the pandemic whereas the US is struggling to make that happen.

In the current environment, it is hard to give a conclusive answer of whether or not racial bias and low census response rates are connected. What can be said is that the census has changed their outreach efforts and are still trying to further responses in hard to count communities. Census employees are working to develop of a plan to get more financial help into these areas.