KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As another major holiday approaches, health officials urge people to once again to stay home to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19. But that won't stop everyone from gathering for Christmas.
On Saturday, Community Builders of Kansas City, an urban core developer, hosted a free COVID-19 testing and flu shots drive-thru in partnership with Swope Health Services at East 33rd Street and Flora Avenue.
"This pandemic has shown that the urban core has been hit the hardest both economically and health wise by the pandemic," DaRon McGee, Community Relations Manager of Community Builders of Kansas City, said. "So it’s important that people can come, get tested [and] know their status."
Hundreds of people attended, trying to gain that peace of mind.
"I want to make sure that my family is safe," said Annatrena Simpson Alvarado, who had her family get tested. "We’re just going to wait for the results, hope all is well."
The big concern health care providers like Joseph Palm, chief of the Office of Minority Health with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, is preventing younger people from spreading the virus to their older loved ones.
"Just remember, wear that mask and protect grandma, protect grandfather as you look at the Christmas holiday," Palm said. "Because you don’t want to expose those with comorbidities to this virus."
Similar lines might form with the COVID-19 vaccine, but it will take several months before the general public has access to it. And already health officials are trying to convince the public, especially in the city's urban core, to take the vaccine.
"Director Randall Williams has asked me to get our here and make sure that we make it available to minority populations," Palm said.
There's some hesitation from minority populations to take the vaccine, according to Palm, but he believes that mindset will change.
"As more people take this vaccine in the minority community and they see that it’s safe, then you will alleviate those fears and calms those fears because people have to see people take it and that it’s safe," Palm said.
More information about where COVID-19 tests are available in the metro can be found below:
