# BLS Release of Covid-19 Items

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/bls-release-of-covid-19-items/3746>\
**Category:** CPS\
**Created:** [September 8, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/bls-release-of-covid-19-items/3746 "2020-09-08T19:57:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Laura\_Muneton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Laura\_Muneton](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Laura_Muneton)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/bls-release-of-covid-19-items/3746/1 "2020-09-08T19:57:52Z")

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Hi IPUMS Team,

Do you know when the 2020 Covid-19 related items will be made available on IPUMS/ has BLS released this information? Will there be a specific designation for those unemployed due to Covid-19 and those who worked from home because of Covid-19?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Matthew\_Bombyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Matthew\_Bombyk](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Matthew_Bombyk)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2020, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/bls-release-of-covid-19-items/3746/2 "2020-09-08T20:41:53Z")

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The COVID-19 specific questions are still not available in the public use microdata, and we don’t know when they will be available. BLS has published tables based on these questions, which can be found here: [Effects of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (CPS)](https://www.bls.gov/cps/effects-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic.htm)

You can see the list of new COVID-specific questions here: [Measuring the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic using the Current Population Survey : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/covid19/measuring-the-effects-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-using-the-current-population-survey.htm)

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Sellers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kent\_Sellers](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Kent_Sellers)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/bls-release-of-covid-19-items/3746/3 "2020-10-14T20:23:46Z")

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Thanks Matthew. Any new updates on the microdata since your last reply? Also, how can I become aware/notified once it is available in IPUMS?

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**Author:** ![KariWilliams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@KariWilliams](https://forum.ipums.org/u/KariWilliams)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/bls-release-of-covid-19-items/3746/4 "2020-10-16T16:39:25Z")

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These data are not yet publicly available. We will update this [pinned forum post in the CPS topic about basic monthly data releases during COVID-19](https://forum.ipums.org/t/release-schedule-for-basic-monthly-cps-during-covid-19/3562) when the COVID-specific variables are available. You can also check the IPUMS CPS revision history and IPUMS Twitter account linked in that post for updates.