Photos Courtesy of Michael V. Cusenza and Sen. Addabbo
By Michael V. Cusenza
Hundreds of concerned Queens residents on Monday braved the fear, freezing winds, frustration—and lengthy lines—to get a free COVID-19 test in Woodhaven.
City Councilmembers Joann Ariola (R-Howard Beach) and Bob Holden (D-Middle Village), State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven), and the NYC Health + Hospitals System arranged a mobile testing site for both rapid and PCR testing from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the Woodhaven Business Improvement District office at 89-07 Jamaica Ave.
Lines wrapped around blocks on both sides of Jamaica Avenue. Hundreds of uneasy Queensites also gathered outside of the ModernMD Urgent Care site at the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 90th Street.
“What are you going to do?” a shivering Middle Village resident who requested that his name not be published asked rhetorically. “This is free—everybody’s going to flock to this.”
Photos Courtesy of Michael V. Cusenza and Sen. Addabbo
Holden reported that he’s working with NYC H + H and the Mayor’s Office to set up more mobile vans and brick-and-mortar testing sites in the 30th Council District. He said that his office is also requesting more testing kits.
“With the demand for testing hitting record levels, my constituents need better access so that they can have peace of mind during the holiday season,” Holden added.
Photos Courtesy of Michael V. Cusenza and Sen. Addabbo
Last week, Addabbo partnered with the Deshi Senior Center of Ozone Park and community activist Raimondo Graziano to bring free COVID-19 testing to his Howard Beach district office. The medical professionals at Addabbo’s office gave out 109 COVID-19 PCR nose swab tests to residents.
“As more people are looking to travel for the holidays and become more aware of their own health needs, I wanted to be able to help them out by providing free COVID testing,” Addabbo said.
