NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Meharry Medical College is teaming up with several predominantly African American churches to provide free COVID-19 testing on Saturdays.
"So going into the communities and trying to meet the people where they are," said Cherae Farmer Dixon, Dean of the School of Dentistry at Meharry.
While testing is free at Metro locations throughout the week, a lot of people have been relying on these weekend events. "Saturdays we’ve been getting a lot of the work folks who aren’t able to come out and take advantage of this free service, just to simply know their status," said Dr. Millard Collins, a doctor at Meharry.
Meharry organizers say when they started doing these satellite testing centers a few weeks ago, they got a few cars, but as a new emphasis on testing has emerged, they have seen a steady line all day long.
"It is usually nonstop until we stop," said Cherae Farmer Dixon.
But there may be another reason for bumper to bumper testing. "As they like to call it - I hear you’re going to get a little bit of my brain through my nose No more brain biopsies, just simply on the inside of the the nose, both sides. It’s much better tolerated by both parties," said Dr. Collins.
While Dr. Collins is one of a few doctors on site, most of these testing centers are staffed by Meharry Medical College student volunteers.
"It’s a sense of giving back to the community," said Sheream Reed, a graduate student at Meharry.
Reed signed up to help back in April and has been coming back every single week since. "It affects the African American community a lot more disproportionately, so it’s helping my community," said Reed.
Meharry is hosting another testing event Saturday July 18th at St. Luke Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
If you couldn’t make it out today… Meharry is hosting another testing event next Saturday at St. Luke Christian Methodist Episcopal Church from 9 am to 1 pm.
