By Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

COVID-19 has revealed stark inequities in our society. My district, which is overwhelmingly working-class and one of the most diverse in the country, is also one of the districts hardest hit by the virus. The neighborhood of Corona, Queens has the highest number of positive COVID-19 tests of any zip code in the country. Bronx residents are twice as likely to die from the virus than other New York City residents.

This inequity is about to be compounded by an inaccurate Census. The U.S. Census Bureau has suspended all fieldwork until April 15, and likely will have to suspend further. Self-reporting is currently down across the country compared to 2010 – even though people can now complete the Census online for the first time. In Corona, Queens, less than 20 percent of people have self-reported - compared to 46 percent nationwide. Despite this, the Trump administration has only delayed the deadline for the Census by two weeks.

As part of a March survey, Data for Progress sought to test public support for extending the Census deadline. Specifically, they asked registered voters the following:

The Census which is supposed to be an accurate measure of every person living in the United States is currently underway. Some experts have raised concerns that the coronavirus outbreak could disrupt the Census. Would you support extending the Census in order to ensure an accurate count?

Overall, voters support extending the Census by a 68-percentage-point margin (78 percent support, 10 percent oppose). In fact, such a step is overwhelmingly supported by every measured demographic group and by voters on both sides of the aisle. Democrats support this idea by a 79-point margin (85 percent support, 6 percent oppose), and Republicans support it by a 62-point margin (76 percent support, 14 percent oppose).