Saturday, October 17, 2020

Census Enumeration is Over

Yesterday, I surrendered my Census Enumerator gear - bag, forms, and the trusty iPhone. It's been an eventful two months, banging on doors, and collecting information for the NRFU (Non-Response Follow Up) operation for the Census. It was work I enjoyed, even during the August heat wave. It's enjoyable to meet new people one wouldn't ordinarily meet, especially during this socially-distanced year. I'm going to miss the work a lot. 

Most people responded to the Census on line. In order to get on the NRFU list, therefore, there had to be some kind of dysfunction, either big or small. Dysfunctional people are - interesting. 

The iPhone was a big help in collecting information. Apparently the 2010 Census still relied on paper and pen. The iPhone made data collection faster and more efficient. It was heart-warming to assist families with their Census civic duty. That part of the job was the best. 

 The biggest impediment to collecting information was the large, coronavirus-caused gap between Census date (April 1, 2020) and when enumerators actually hit the streets (the middle of August). In the interim, quite a few people changed residences, complicating matters. 

For example, at one house, I tried to gather information from an in-mover - a fellow who had moved into his new rental house in the interim. He did not know who lived in the house before he arrived, but he did have a huge stack of mail addressed to at least a dozen people. "It looks like they were running a credit-card scam. It's possible a few of these identities actually belonged to the previous residents." He gave me the number of the landlord. I called, but suspecting a scam, the landlord immediately hung up the phone. Too many of these informational dead ends. In retrospect, it would have been better, and safer, to have started the NRFU operation in May, as originally scheduled. 

There were other impediments too - lackadaisical respondents, absent respondents, language barriers, hidden residences - but surprisingly-few rude people. I thought maybe it was my age that accounted for the politeness - respect for elders - but I talked to one young enumerator who found the same politeness. I just think people were favorably-disposed to Census enumerators and wanted to help, to the ability their schedules permitted. 

Even the dogs were favorably-disposed. I entered one yard with a "Beware of Dog" sign, and was bowled over by a huge, friendly German Shepherd. 

And, to date, no Covid-19 either. 

Good times!

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