A
mobile COVID-19 testing van has brought an important resource that some Long
Islanders didn’t have access to.
For
many residents on the East End of Long Island who have been hit hard by the
pandemic, getting tested for COVID-19 hasn't been easy. Many who live there
don't have access to public transportation.
However,
many residents were able to get a free COVID-19 test by appointment without waiting
on line Monday.
"Public
transportation is a very difficult thing, especially out in Suffolk County
where there are remote areas that don't even have public transportation,"
says Minerva Perez, the executive director OLA of Eastern Long Island.
"Specifically, in the Springs area where a lot of folks, Latino and non,
have a harder time getting out of the area for lack of transportation, lack of
means. So, we partnered with the county, the county exec's office and
worked to get this amazing van...from Advanced Cardio."
The
van is owned by Dr. Perry Frankel, a cardiologist who has been using it for
COVID-19 testing since March. His business works with county executives to
schedule testing in communities.
"We
have a schedule for a month or two…say we're doing it with Minerva and Steve Bellone,
we send them a flyer which they send out. There's a link on the
flyer to book the appointment, you get a scheduled appointment," Frankel
says.
Springs
resident Gene Moore drove by, signed up and got a COVID-19 test all on Monday.
He says he is thankful someone brought the test to him so he didn't have to go
to the test.
"I
didn't know where to go…I know there's a City MD, but I also know there are
huge lines," Moore says. "This is really important and
convenient."