Dr. Steven Stack on gatherings: Choices have implications for others. Drive-thru testing partnership could ‘almost double’ COVID-19 testing.

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On Sunday, Gov. Andy Beshear thanked Kentuckians of all faiths for protecting their communities by staying home over the holiday weekend and supporting the state’s fight against coronavirus (COVID-19).

“It is Easter Sunday and in my faith, today is the day we greet everyone with the same phrase; ‘He is risen,’ and people respond with ‘He is risen indeed,’” Beshear said. “Thank you to everyone who worshipped at home today. Your decision to stay home, even when it is really hard, is what saves lives. Thank you, Kentuckians. People you have never met are going to be alive three months from now because of your willingness to do it.”

More than 99.8 percent of the commonwealth’s houses of worship cancelled in-person services this weekend. Only about seven congregations held in-person services, disregarding the governor’s executive order banning mass gatherings and repeated warnings from local, state and federal health officials that these services risked Kentuckians’ lives.

Individuals who attended in-person services will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days in order to limit the impact of their actions on other people.

Commissioner for the Department for Public Health Dr. Steven Stack passionately said during Sunday’s COVID-19 briefing, “Does our right to gather together entitle us to have other people die as a result? That is essentially, what happened. This is about any gathering, not just churches. We are at a time and place in history when the human species has never faced, for the last hundred years, a threat like we do now. The choices and decisions you make have implications, not only for yourself, but for others.”

Update on drive-thru testing sites
The Governor on Sunday announced a partnership with Kroger that will greatly expand COVID-19 testing capabilities in Kentucky. The state’s first drive-thru testing site, at the Franklin County Fairground, will be free of charge and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 13, through Thursday, April 16.

Future testing sites will be announced. The goal of the partnership is to conduct 20,000 tests over the next five weeks, according to health officials.

“I’m very excited about this. It’s good news,” Beshear said. “We’ve been working with Kroger for several weeks just trying to get it right. The potential here, just from this program, could almost double the amount of testing we have right now.”

The state, Kroger and other partners expect to be able to handle about 250 vehicles per day per site at all locations. Kentuckians can register at thelittleclinic.com/drivethru-testing, or call 1-888-852-2567 (select option 1, then option 3).

First, people seeking a test will use a virtual screening tool based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to see if they are eligible. Next, they will select a testing location and appointment time. Then, registrants will receive an email confirmation with pre-appointment paperwork to complete. When a person arrives for their test, they should have their photo ID ready and leave their window rolled up for check-in, until a health care practitioner arrives at the car for the test. Test results are expected within about 48-hours.

Those eligible for the test include anyone with symptoms, healthcare workers, first responders, people 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions.

More information

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The CDC encourages people to follow these steps to prevent illness. Kentuckians who want advice can call the state hotline at 800-722-5725 or call your local healthcare provider.

(Photo of Dr. Steven Stack courtesy of The Hamburg Journal)

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com