Faith in the City in partnership with MetroHealth Medical Center brings Free COVID-19 Testing to Euclid, Ohio
For the second time in less than a month, the city of Euclid held free on-site COVID-19 testing for residents in an effort to combat the pandemic and lower the amount of documented cases.
MetroHealth, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the Euclid church organization Faith in the City, and state Rep. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, worked together to bring community testing to Cuyahoga County, and specifically Euclid, Ohio.
Faith in the City- Euclid, Ohio is a group of Euclid Churches in collaboration with Mayor Holtzemier-Gail and the city of Euclid, who are committed to working together with each other and the city to make Euclid a place of welcome for all. Since the senseless killing of George Floyd, Faith in the City has focused their energy on finding ways to end social injustice. In June the group organized a Rally for Change and has continued to work to find ways to stop systematic racism and bring COVID-19 testing and voter education to the community.
The COVID-19 testing was held at C.E. Orr Ice Arena and capped at 150 people. After checking in, registrants visited pop-up medical stations where nasopharyngeal culture tests were conducted very quickly. The results were ready in 48 to 72 hours.
Faith in the city member Pastor Chris Smith shared that it was difficult to bring testing to Euclid, and believes more collaboration with other hospitals or community groups is needed in order for Euclid to get the kind of testing we need.
“As a faith group, we believe in doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God — we believe social justice is a part of the Christian mandate, and, therefore, we see great disparities in the healthcare system,” she said. There is no shortage of statistics that discuss the disproportionality of minority persons receiving the medical services they need in general, and in particular, as it relates to COVID.
Pastor Chris went on to say, “We really had to network and navigate to make this a reality, but we found great partners.” She added. “we have been very frustrated that testing has not happened significantly in Cuyahoga County, in general, (and) that there was no testing until very recently. Therefore, we felt it was critical that we offer this testing.”
In the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Thanks to Faith in the City, for reminding us that a small group can do BIG things.
Watch Euclid social media sites, the city of Euclid's website, and the Faith in the City- Euclid, Ohio Facebook page, in the coming weeks and months for more information on community testing, voter education, and information on virtual town halls.
Emily Holody
A Peninsula, Ohio, native, Emily Holody is a stay-at-home mother and freelance writer with a degree in Sociology from Kent State University. She has a background in mental health and social work, loves yoga, all things outdoors, and lives in Euclid with her childhood sweetheart and their family.