NYC Test & Trace Corps Holds 'Get Tested Tuesday' Day of Action in Queens
Effort focused on neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 including Corona, Jackson Heights, Jamaica, and Richmond Hill
Dec 01, 2020
The NYC Test & Trace Corps today is holding its weekly “Get Tested Tuesday” Day of Action event in the borough of Queens, with a special focus on neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 including Corona, Jackson Heights, Jamaica, and Richmond Hill. “Get Tested Tuesday” brings together the Test & Trace Corps, elected officials and community-based organizations to encourage New Yorkers to get tested during this holiday season, as well as to distribute guidance on safe practices around social distancing, mask wearing, and travel.
“On this Get Tested Tuesday, we are pleased to work with our partners in government and the community to bring the message of testing for everyone at no cost to residents in Queens,” said NYC Test & Trace Corps Deputy Executive Director Jackie Bray. “Today and every day, as rates of COVID-19 increase in our neighborhoods, we need all New Yorkers to help by getting tested, wearing their masks and practicing social distancing, and if they have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with the virus, seek immediate help to safely separate from loved ones by calling our hotline at 212-COVID19.”
Members of the Test & Trace Corps and volunteers will be at the following locations in Queens throughout the day on Tuesday, December 1, to provide information and guidance on getting tested and staying safe from COVID-19.
Corona
Corona Plaza
40-04 National St, Corona, NY 11368
8am-10am
Jackson Heights
Diversity Plaza
73-19 37th Rd, Flushing, NY 11372
11am-1pm
Jamaica
Parsons Boulevard & Jamaica Avenue Intersection, meet in front of McDonalds
11am-1pm
Richmond Hill
Lefferts Queens Public Library (Testing Site)
2pm-4pm
All New Yorkers are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 often, even if they have no symptoms. Testing is available at no cost at sites operated by the NYC Test & Trace Corps and partners. Find a full list of sites including hours of operation on this Get Tested Tuesday and throughout the week here.
“As cases rise across the country spike to new highs, here in New York City it is now undeniable that we are seeing the rise of a second wave – but its outcome is not inevitable,” said NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. “In order to prevent an even more drastic increase this holiday season, we need to be proactive. On both governing and individual levels, we need to take responsibility and action to slow the spread and save lives. Getting tested, wearing masks, and practicing social distancing are critical steps each one of us can take to protect ourselves and our neighbors. We have seen the worst of this pandemic in New York, and we cannot allow it to return with the second wave.”
“We should all take advantage of the increased availability of testing in Queens and throughout the City,” said Queens Borough President Sharon Lee. “Let’s stay vigilant by getting tested and by also adhering to the other elements of the Core Four: wearing masks, washing our hands and practicing social distancing.”
“The second wave of this pandemic is approaching and threatening to affect more people during the holiday season. In Queens, we know firsthand the destruction COVID-19 can have on families, businesses and communities. I encourage anyone who has any questions on how to protect themselves and others during this challenging time to visit one of these informational sites.” — State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky
“The Richmond Hill and Jamaica neighborhoods, both in my Assembly district, are among the communities that have been hit hardest by the Coronavirus pandemic. Which is why it’s so important to do all we can, including taking a test for COVID-19, to stop the spread of this virus in light of the recent rise in the positivity rate statewide,” said Assembly member David I. Weprin. “I thank the New York City Test & Trace Corps for bringing their on-the-ground efforts to increase awareness to Queens and encourage everyone to continue to wear a mask, wash your hands and keep social distance.”
“I urge all Queens residents who may be at risk of contracting COVID-19 to get tested today,” said NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm. “Recent statistics show that we are headed in the wrong direction, but I am confident that we can make a turn around. That is why, as a Council Member representing the epicenter of the epicenter of the pandemic, I am asking my neighbors to do all that they can to drive down transmission rates. That includes avoiding high risk activity, wearing masks, practicing social distancing and getting tested whenever necessary. I thank the NYC Test & Trace for bringing Get Tested Tuesday to my district.”
“The neighborhoods in my district were at the epicenter of the epicenter of COVID-19. These are families with essential workers in multigenerational homes that are at greater risk of exposure. We need to do what we can to keep our communities informed and alert with how the numbers are pacing, what they need to continue doing, and where to get tested to help stop the spread,” said Council Member Francisco Moya, who represents District 21.
“South Queens Women’s March (SQWM) is deeply alarmed by the rates of COVID-19 in the very neighborhoods at the heart of our movement, including Richmond Hill. South Queens had already been hit hard by the pandemic, in major part by the economic devastation many people, especially those who are working class, undocumented and/or low-income, have experienced at the hands of COVID-19. The rising incidence of this pervasive virus is reason for us to mobilize more than ever before to keep our community safe. Education and access are strongly tied to equity and mobilizing for Get Tested Tuesday further uplifts our mission to empower our South Queens people.” —Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Founder & Director, South Queens Women’s March
“A community is only great because of the greatness of its members. A healthy community depends on its members to be each other’s keeper. Mask -up, get COVID-Tested and stay socially distanced so we can continue to have each other in our great, healthy Community. With peace and love.” — Vijah Ramjattan of United Madrassi Association.
“We at Jahajee Sisters have seen firsthand the disproportionate impact of COVID 19 on immigrant women and their families. It has been heartbreaking. We are working to make sure our community takes all precautions as COVID numbers rise, including getting tested. The lives of our families depend on it.” —Shivana Jorawar & Simone Jhingoor, Co-Directors of Jahajee Sisters
The Punjabi community is an invaluable part of Richmond Hill and we at Kaurageous Love want to play our part in helping keep them safe and informed. COVID-19 is a serious threat but we can fight this pandemic if we all work together to keep our neighbors safe.
— Harmehar Kaur Kholi, Kaurageous Love
“The Newtown Civic Association is proud to assist the NYC Test and Trace Corps., in helping to combat this pandemic; the greatest quality of life threat in our time. It has become a time for agencies, community groups, and citizens to unite by helping to protect, educate, and keep safe their fellow neighbors through education, and give reminders to follow proper guidelines and protocol.” —James McMenamin, Vice President, Newtown Civic Association
“We need to constantly remind ourselves and everyone else to always wear a mask, maintain social distance, frequently wash hands and get tested. SACSS along with other partner organizations will be out there at testing sites in Queens distributing masks and flyers on COVID19 on the Day of Action this Tuesday”. —Sudha Acharya, Executive Director of South Asian Council for Social Services
“MinKwon Center for Community Action is proud to support NYC Health + Hospital’s Test and Trace Corps on Get Tested Tuesday to inform our community members about the importance of getting tested for COVID-19 and on the different options they have to know their status. Equitable accessibility to testing sites will be critical in breaking the transmission of the virus and protecting the health of our communities.” said Sandra Choi, Civic Participation Manager at MinKwon Center for Community Action
The Test & Trace Corps is the City’s comprehensive effort to test, trace, and provide support for every case of COVID-19. Through a partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Corps allows the City to immediately isolate and care for those who test positive for the virus and then rapidly track, assess, and quarantine anyone they may have infected.
To help all New Yorkers safely separate at home and monitor their health status, the Take Care pillar of the Test & Trace Corps also offers free hotel rooms with wraparound services for New Yorkers who are unable to safely separate in their own homes. For those safely separating at home, contact tracers perform daily calls and conduct in-person visits as necessary. These calls allow tracers to gauge the progress of cases, ensure proper compliance with separation protocol, and connect people to more supportive services as necessary. Today, 98% of all COVID-19 cases and 96% of contacts reported following isolation and quarantine requirements.