Help Your Community and Get Tested for COVID-19
United Way of Pettis County and Johnson County Community Health Services have both posted information on coronavirus testing opportunities for area residents. Testing will occur at the Johnson County Fairgrounds SundayJune 14 from 7AM -3 PM CDT and on Monday June 15 at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia from 10AM - 6PM CDT.
One of my first questions was should I get tested? I've felt pretty good throughout the pandemic and have done a relatively good job practicing social distancing and wearing a mask. And the test is the nasal swab test that will only show if you have an active case. So since I'm feeling well, what's the point? The answer is, yes. Get tested.
According to Johnson County Community Health Services the testing is being offered in several counties to allow public health officials to learn more about the prevalence of COVID-19 transmission.
Community sampling gives the state a better sense of COVID-19 prevalence in a given area, which will help guide its response and ease uncertainty for Missourians. If prevalence is low, this will help reassure citizens that it is safe to begin re-engaging in the community and returning to somewhat normal operations. If prevalence is higher, quick and proactive steps will be taken to keep the virus from spreading further in the community.
So it seems to me the focus of this testing is to truly get as many people tested as they can, and see what the results come back as. So yeah, if you're generally feeling healthy, it's just as important for the data to get tested as it is if you're feeling like maybe you have it.
The only qualification to get tested is that you're a Missouri resident. You don't need to reside in the county you get tested in. The test is free and costs nothing. People are being asked to sign up and register for the testing on the DHSS registration site here, or by calling 1-877-435-8411. Registration will be open from Monday June 8 through Friday June 12.
The best place I found to get information on the testing is the Johnson County Community Health Center page on the community testing. You can access that here.