With COVID-19 upending life throughout New York City, the decennial U.S. Census has gotten off to a rocky start in the five boroughs, with a mere 39.5% of residents responding so far.

Self-response rates tracked by the U.S. Census show New York State lagging behind on the count, with 43.3% of New Yorkers responding statewide, lower than the national average of 49.4%.

Jeff T. Behler, regional director for the U.S. Census, told Gothamist that part of the lag stems from the coronavirus's impact on New York City, the epicenter of the outbreak, where more than 12,000 lives have been lost because of the virus.

"COVID-19 stopped all the field activities," said Behler, particularly the hiring of on-the-ground enumerators that was supposed to begin now. "In addition, we have a huge partnership program. Over 50 partnership specialists in New York City, and their job was supposed to work directly with local partners--could be the media, community-based organizations, our faith-based leaders, businesses owners, elected officials—and we were working together to plan events to bring people together to talk about the census."

The setback has led the U.S. Department of Commerce to issue a statement on Monday proposing the time to present the apportionment data to President Donald Trump be extended from December 31st of this year to April 30th, 2021. If approved, New Yorkers will have until October 31st to submit their self-response.

"The one good thing when you look at the delay and the extension of self-responses it really gives us an opportunity to—once restrictions are lifted and we have resources to spend—work together with our partners to spend them in the right places," said Behler.

Hired enumerators, meantime, will be trained virtually. When in public, Behler said enumerators will be equipped with personal protection equipment, and, as a precaution, will practice social distancing regardless on whether restrictions were lifted.

While most of the city has been slow to respond since the count officially kicked off on March 12th, Washington Heights in Manhattan appears to be the brightest spot, reporting a whopping 60.5% of respondents sending in their questionnaires already. The figure surpasses the national average so far, and repeats what residents there did a decade back when leaders there have urged residents to take it seriously. (The national participation rate during 2010 census, which did not include online completion, was 74%; the NY State participation rate was 64.6%.)

Co-Op City in the Bronx and Fort Totten in Queens can also claim bragging rights with higher response rates compared to the rest of the city.

Fort Totten appears to be the outlier in Queens, given how the rest of the borough has not responded to the count. Neighborhoods in the five boroughs—including North Corona, South Ozone Park, Borough Park, and Williamsburg—remain stubbornly behind, aligning with historical trends.

The U.S. Census count, essential for the allocation of money (in the form of federal funding) and power (with House seats), was a much talked about topic well before the coronavirus crippled the U.S., with city officials earmarking $40 million to increase participation. That funding to prevent an undercount is seen by officials as a kind of investment, given the $53 billion New York State is estimated to receive if all New Yorkers fill out their forms.

The effort may have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 crisis, but it hasn't discouraged Julie Menin, director of NYC Census.

On WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show last week, Menin noted that every element of the campaign's toolbox at their disposal—phone banking, mass texting, and neighborhood organizing census committees—has been utilized.

Menin reiterated how easy it is to complete the census questionnaire, while reminding listeners that the controversial citizenship question proposed by President Donald Trumpis not included in the ten-question census form. Such a question, if included, would have had a chilling effect in New York, with undocumented residents potentially ignoring the census because of fears of how the information might be used. (The Supreme Court rejected the question's inclusion last year.)

The census can be answered via mail, by phone, and, for the first time, online. Those who've had a family member hospitalized because of the pandemic can fill out the census on their behalf, according to Menin.

For residents who've briefly left the city for more remote surroundings, Menin recommends they still fill out the form, clarifying that a census ID—a 12-digit number that quickly links to personalized form online—is not needed to complete it.

"We know in New York City, the epicenter of COVID, that some people might have left the city. Maybe they're staying with a cousin, or a sister, or a loved one outside of the city. We need them to fill their forms out, and they can do so either by going online or by using the toll-free number as well," said Menin, adding that New York City has a "long, long way to go."

You can complete the 2020 Census online here: https://my2020census.gov