By Tyler Schneider
A partnership between co-sponsors Truman Medical Centers and University Health has brought five long awaited COVID-19 mobile testing sessions to some of south Kansas City’s communities this week, ending with a pop up test site at Ruskin High School on Friday. [Ed: A more recent site has been added for Monday, May 11, 10 am to 2 pm, at Metro Christian Fellowship Church, 2217 High Grove Rd., Grandview)
The collaborative testing tour began on Monday at Grandview’s Metro Christian Church and continued the following morning at the Sheffield Family Life Center and at the Grain Valley Community Center on Wednesday.
Thursday’s test will be set up at the Connection Pointe Church, 10500 E. 350 Hwy, in Raytown from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Friday, 5th District Councilwoman Ryana Parks-Shaw and 6th District Councilwoman Andrea Bough are joining forces to co-sponsor the week’s final COVID-19 testing event at Ruskin High School. 7000 E. 111th Street, on Friday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event is the result of a collaborative effort between the respective offices of Parks-Shaw and Bough, along with the Hickman Mills C-1 School District, the Truman Medical Center and University Health.
“As we prepare for the stay-at-home order to lift, I wanted to do my part to ensure Fifth District residents were offered free COVID-19 testing,” Parks-Shaw said in a statement. “Mobile testing sites like this one in south Kansas City help make a critical impact in flattening the curve.”
“While we all feel the impact of COVID-19, we are not all impacted to the same degree. It is imperative that we come together to help those who are disproportionately impacted by this crisis,” Bough added in her own prepared statement.
All tests are available free of charge, with interested individuals encouraged to request an advanced screening by calling 816-404-2273 in order to assist organizers in streamlining the testing process. Friday’s event at Ruskin High School could see over 100 individuals completing a test and will include free hand sanitizer and face covering PPE devices for guests, “while supplies last.”