Making Sense of the Census
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Time’s Up:
It’s Now or
Never for
New York
City’s Future
By Julie Menin, Director of
NYC Census 2020
New York City is facing an
unprecedented, multi-layered
political, economic, and public
health crisis like none other it
has faced in the past.
After being the global epicenter
of the COVID-19 crisis
for months, we are left with an
economy that is a shell of its recent
self, and we are rudderless
in terms of the sorely-needed
federal response to our public
health and economic crises.
As Chair of Manhattan Community
Board 1 in the immediate
aftermath of 9/11, I saw
first-hand the unthinkable devastation
wrought by the last
disaster in our city’s history,
and l can assure you — at least
as far as the economy is concerned,
our current straits are
seriously dire.
We’re going to need the boldest
thinking, the thickest elbow
grease, and, let’s face it, a serious
infusion of cash if we’re going
to rebuild and recover from
the calamity that has been
COVID-19.
While there’s sure to be interminable
debate and partisan
political infighting that will
needlessly complicate the otherwise
straightforward conversation
about what we need into
the future, there’s a faucet that
turns on every year, year after
year, that pours forth $1.5 trillion
in federal dollars for education,
housing, healthcare,
job training, transportation,
infrastructure, and more — the
things we need money for — all
based a few facts and figures.
What are those facts and figures?
Census data.
Census data — how many we
are, where we are, basic information
about who we are (ages,
genders, and the like) is the basis
on which this faucet either
flows freely or drips dryly for
New York City. If we don’t have
a complete and accurate count
in the census this year, we’re
simply not going to get the resources
to which we are not
only entitled, but also that we
will desperately for our recovery
into the future.
Achieving a complete census
count will take nothing short of
an unprecedented movement to
ensure New Yorkers know their
rights, know what’s at stake,
and know what we need to shape
our future. Fortunately, these
efforts are already underway.
In fact, we’re mobilizing volunteers
in communities across
the five boroughs every day between
July 27 and August 2 as
part of our new Census Week of
Action. From social media outreach
to texting, phone-banking,
and socially-distanced
canvassing, there are countless
ways to help make sure that our
communities get the full funding,
resources, and recognition
that we rightfully deserve. You
can sign up now to join our effort
at nyc.gov/censusweek.
With our groundbreaking
census campaign, we’ve been
fighting for a complete and accurate
count of all New Yorkers
since last year. Now, in the final
days before the U.S. Census Bureau
sends its folks knocking
on doors across our city, we are
making it clear to all New Yorkers:
self-respond before you
miss your chance to do your
part for your city.
“Making Sense of the Census”
is a weekly column from Julie
Menin, Director of NYC Census
2020. Every week we will be
publishing pieces from Julie and
guest authors laying out the facts
and answering tough questions
about this year’s census. Fill out
the census now at my2020census.
gov.
REOPENING
Be a part of it.
Visitor health and safety are our top priorities —
that’s why we’re debuting a free timed-entry pass
system and one-way movement to ensure social
distancing is possible in the park. We can’t wait to
see you again, NYC.
Open daily, noon – 8pm
Gansevoort St. to 23rd St.
Enter only at Gansevoort St.
Please wear a mask
thehighline.org/reopening
@highlinenyc
PAID DEATH NOTICES
To place an announcement in
Death Notice, In Memoriam,
Sympathy or
Cards of Thanks
Please Call Celeste 718-260-2554
or e-mail
calamin@schnepsmedia.com
Schneps Media July 30, 2020 7
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