Free testing helps fight hidden cases

A free, pop-up testing site at the De La Salle Education Center saw a steady stream of people taking advantage of the opportunity.

TODAY WE LEARNED THEVIRUS WAS HERE MUCHSOONER THAN WEREALIZED.THAT'S ACCORDING TOTHE NEW YORK TIMES.AND LOOKING AHEAD --TOP HEALTH OFFICIALSSAY THE KEY TO TRACKINGTHE VIRUS IS TESTING.41 ACTION NEWS ANCHORCAITLIN KNUTE FOUND OUTWHETHER PEOPLE ARETAKING ADVANTAGE OFFREE TESTINGOPPORTUNITIES.Caitlin Knute, Kansas City, MO:"In just the time we've beenhere, we've seen a steadystream of cars pulling up,people wanting to get checkedand swabbed.

As for whythey're coming?

We're hearinga variety of reasons."AMONG THOSE WHO CAMEOUT... AMEENACHUADHRY..

A KANSASCITY TEACHER WHO SAIDSHE TOOK PART IN RECENTPROTESTS AS PART OFTHE BLACK LIVES MATTERMOVEMENT.Ameena Chaudhry, KC Teacher:"I mean, I felt safe, everyonewas wearing masks.

But, youcan never be too certain."FOR ERICKA TROTTER...IT'S PERSONAL."I was just diagnosed withtype 2 diabetes in April."It's alarming that people thinkthat just because the city isopen, you can walk aroundfreely and just act likeeverything is normal."MEANWHILE..

Some cameTO PROTECT OTHERS.Ermanno Ritschl, Overland Park:"I think we wanted to add tothe research that KU is doingto get a handle on thecoronavirus."ALL THE DATA FROM THISEVENT..

CO-SPONSOREDBY VARIOUS LOCALGROUPS..

IS BEINGCOMPILED BY THEUNIVERSITY OF KANSASMEDICAL CENTER.IT INCLUDES A SURVEYPARTICIPANTS AREENCOURAGED TO FILL OUTTO BETTER UNDERSTANDTHE SPREAD, ESPECIALLYAMONG MINORITIES.Gene Willis, United Inner CityServices:We want this to be a unifyingevent, for public health, ,forpublic safety.We talk about systematicchange?

We can't makechance if people aren'thealthy.THIS COMES AS A NEWYORK TIMES ARTICLEIDENTIFIES KANSAS CITYAS ONE OF TEN METROAREAS TO EXPERIENCE AHIDDEN OUTBREAK ASEARLY AS MID-FEBRUARY.Were you suprised?DR. Rex Archer, KCMO Dir.

OfHealth:Not at all.

For example, the2,000 known cases we haveright now is probably just thetip of the iceburg.

We probablyhave five times that.

Peopledon't know that and haven'tbeen tested.Caitlin Knute.

Kansas City, MO:"And if you missed today'stesting, not to worry.

Heart toHeart, one of theorganizations helping put onthis event, is hosting threemore next week in Lawrence.For more details head to ourwebsite, KSHB,com.

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