BOSTON — Did you or someone you know recently go to a protest or large gathering? State officials are urging those people to get tested for coronavirus.
Free testing will be available Wednesday, June 17, and Thursday, June 18 at over 50 sites across the area. Some of these sites may be by appointment-only.
People lined up at Brookside Community Center in Jamaica Plain today for COVID-19 testing. This comes after Gov Baker announced people who have participated in recent protests and other large gatherings can get tested for FREE, today and tomorrow, at 50 sites in MA @boston25 pic.twitter.com/TDAN2X9dyx
— Kirsten Glavin (@kirstenglavin) June 17, 2020
On Wednesday, lines were seen forming at the Brookside Community Health Center testing site in Jamaica Plain.
Several people told Boston 25 News that they waited upwards of an hour for a free test, but that it was worth the wait after partaking in recent protests.
“Everyone was pretty close together which is why I decided to get tested,” said Michelle Lim, reflecting on two of the recent protests she attended.
She pointed out that although people did wear masks, she didn’t want to potentially expose her family if she’s been asymptomatic.
“I plan on going home for Father’s Day sometime this week or next week, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t have corona or any symptoms before going, just to be sure,” she said.
According to the Executive Director of Brookside Community Health Center, Mimi Jolliffe, the center had been conducting roughly 150 tests per day up until Wednesday. By noon on Wednesday, Jolliffe confirmed for Boston 25 that they had already surpassed that number of tests.
“Incredibly busy!” she said. “Ever since first thing when we opened there’s been a line around the block.”
Jolliffe added that patients would be asked if they’ve participated in a protest recently, which could help determine if there is any surge in cases.
“We’ve all been so aware of social distancing and wearing our masks all the time, and then this event came that everyone felt like they really needed to speak up and speak out. That is our right to do, so we’re happy to support that. But that also allowed people to be in closer contact to one another and maybe not even have their masks on. For that reason, we really encourage people to come in and get tested.”
Jude Kinne was another recent protestor who decided to get a free test at Brookside Community Health Center on Wednesday.
“I was definitely concerned about the crowds.”
Kinne, a grocery store worker, added that it was mandated by her employer.
“They said it was fine but I couldn’t get back until I got a negative test result.”
Free testing is scheduled to continue on Thursday at the select 52 pop-up locations across the state.
This interactive map provides an easy way to locate a COVID-19 test site for those experiencing symptoms or who have been in close contact recently with a COVID-positive individual: https://t.co/M8pHwkM1Eu #covid19MA pic.twitter.com/CuhsErTFIE
— MEMA (@MassEMA) June 10, 2020
If you’re looking to get tested for COVID-19, there are testing sites located all across the Commonwealth.
Click here to find a testing site near you.
>> Related: COVID-19 testing slowing down in Massachusetts
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RESOURCES:
- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information
- Boston Coronavirus Information
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