[Photo by Dave on 7th]
Workers set up tents today behind the former St. Brigid School on Seventh Street and Avenue B.
It was a bit of a mystery until we received this missive from Assemblymember Harvey Epstein's office:
This Thursday, May 21, Somos Community Care is opening a COVID-19 testing site at St. Brigid - St. Emeric Church at 119 Avenue B (between Seventh Street and Eighth Street). This testing site will only be open until this Tuesday (May 26). You must call to make an appointment first so please do so immediately as this is a short window of time. The number is 1-833-766-6769.
Updated 5/26
Th temporary COVID-19 testing site has been extended by a few more weeks.
The site also has new hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As EVG contributor Stacie Joy reports, walk-ins are still possible but they would prefer that you make an appointment. Somos reps also promised better staffing of the phone lines. (Several readers reported that they couldn't get through to make an appointment.)
More and more it seems like those tests might be a waste of time.
ReplyDeleteIt’s valuable as data. Since so many were asymptomatic we don’t know how infectious the disease actually is till we know how many people had. The more positives we didn’t know about or weren’t sure about who survived the better for all of us, cause it slowly lowers the fatality rate and, perhaps, does start making the virus less dangerous. I think that’s the main point. However, an antigen test to see if you are positive or not would be valuable in catching an asymtomatic carrier, but is essential ya waste for a negative cause you could become positive the second you walk out of the testing facility. Same holds true of course if you are negative for the antibody.
ReplyDeleteTried calling around 10am to make an appointment... no one answered in any of the departments. guess i'll try to go by and see if they have any openings
ReplyDeleteNo appointment necessary. Took me fives minutes in and out. You can get either test, antigen or antibody. Or both. No cost. Everyone who can should at least get the antibody test. It’s a public service at this point.
ReplyDeleteThanks will try to swing by tomorrow
DeleteNo luck as of 2:30, Thursday 5/21. No answer at the number given, no access to the tents, no signage as to when testing might be available. Looks like a fucked-up operation by a incompetent organization to me, but the incompetence might be with Epstein's office.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t blame Epstein’s office. This is a state Dept of Health collaboration that is ahead of it’s own managerial ability. But everyone was very nice and quick and it’s essentially a walk in operation. This is a data collection operation with the hope of catching active asymptotic cases. You can also go to CityMD if your anxious, as well. But this is free with or without insurance.
ReplyDeleteWhen did you stop by?
DeleteAround noon
DeleteThey were closed yesterday and today when I stopped by. I hope they'll be open tomorrow, their last day at the site.
ReplyDeleteI made an appointment on Saturday, went on Monday 2 days later. Still had to wait in line when I got there, but I’m not complaining. All in all, I was probably there for 40 minutes. Very good social distancing, and it was all outdoor. I’d recommend it.
ReplyDelete